Shanghai Shenhua has explained why they allowed Odion Ighalo to extend his loan with Manchester United.

The two clubs have agreed that Ighalo can stay at Old Trafford until January 31, with United paying a £6m loan fee and one-third of the Nigerian's £300,000-a-week contract.

And Shenhua says they made the decision due to the delayed start to the Chinese Super League and visa issues caused by the coronavirus.

A club statement read: "In view of the uncertainty over the opening of the new Chinese Super League season and the uncertainty over foreign aid policy, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Manchester United have extended the loan for the Nigerian player Odion Ighalo."