Watford turned down Manchester United's bid for their striker Odion Ighalo last season, the Sunday Times has revealed.

The report has claimed that former United manager Louis Van Gaal made a massive £35million bid to sign the Nigeria international in January, but the bid was rejected by the Hornets.

United were keen to lure Ighalo from Vicarage Road to Old Trafford but Watford were desperate to keep the former Udinese man in Hertfordshire.

The 27-year-old scored 15 goals in 37 league appearances for the Hornets last season.