Sportsmail revealed last month that Ighalo's short-term deal runs out on May 31 — a month earlier than most loan agreements.
United want to keep the Nigerian striker for longer after he scored four goals in eight games, but the issue has been complicated by the global football shutdown as Ighalo's loan enters its final three weeks.
The Chinese Super League is due to restart soon and Shanghai, who are ready to offer the 30-year-old a new contract worth £400,000 a week, expect him back.
The Premier League, however, have yet to set a date ahead of a key vote among clubs on Monday.
United want to know when the season will resume before committing to a new deal for Ighalo who has been costing them £130,000 a week during two months of inactivity.
Another factor is the return to fitness of Marcus Rashford and, to a lesser extent, Paul Pogba in that time. It was Rashford's lay-off due to a back fracture that led to United signing Ighalo in the first place.
Meanwhile, it's understood that United have no intention of recalling goalkeeper Dean Henderson from his loan at Sheffield United, even though he could end up helping the Yorkshire club beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to a Champions League place.
Henderson is due to return at the start of July, but United are happy to let the England Under 21 keeper finish the season at Bramall Lane instead of recalling him as extra cover for David de Gea.
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