A fresh revelation has shed light on why Victor Osimhen never joined Manchester United.
Former United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has disclosed that the Nigerian striker was highly rated at Old Trafford. However, the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations became a major obstacle.
Speaking to BBC World Service’s Newsday, McCarthy said the club seriously considered signing the Napoli star. The Victor Osimhen Manchester United transfer was not just speculation, he revealed. It was actively discussed behind the scenes.
“I thought he would have fit perfectly,” McCarthy said. “He was at the top of the list.”
Osimhen had just enjoyed a historic season in Italy. He scored 26 Serie A goals in the 2022–23 campaign. In addition, he helped Napoli win their first league title in 33 years.
At that time, he was seen as one of Europe’s most complete strikers. Therefore, United viewed him as a strong solution to their scoring problems.
However, the Africa Cup of Nations created hesitation. The tournament, which is held every two years, often clashes with the European club season.
“If you spend £100 million on a player, you don’t want to lose him for Afcon,” McCarthy explained. “Losing your main striker for so many important matches can hurt the team. It was a big stumbling block.”
According to McCarthy, that concern proved decisive. As a result, Osimhen’s name was eventually removed from the shortlist. The potential disruption during key fixtures was seen as too risky.
Meanwhile, Manchester United signed Danish striker Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta in August 2023. The deal was worth £72 million.
Osimhen, on the other hand, continued to shine. He won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023. Furthermore, after leaving Napoli, he joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024 before making the move permanent last July.
He later helped Galatasaray defeat Juventus in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Consequently, his reputation as a top striker has remained strong.
