Why Man United Did Not Sign Victor Osimhen -Former Coach

Reason has emerged why Man United did not sign on Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, hot cake after the 2022-23 season., who went on to be crowned African Footballer of the Year 2023

Osimhen became a sought-after with 26 league goals in that season, and also inspired Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years.+

Man United club’s former first-team coach Benni McCarthy mentioned the Africa Cup of Nations schedule as a decisive factor in why Manchester United did not pursue a move for Victor Osimhen,

As part of the coaching staff at Old Trafford under then manager Erik ten Hag, McCarthy was involved in discussions over striker recruitment and believed Osimhen would just be it for United.

The coming of the Africa Cup of Nations, which often takes place during the European season, affected things.

Though Osimhen topped Man United’s shopping list, but the Nation’s Cup shifted her focus.

“If you spend £100m on a player, you don’t want to lose him for Afcon,” McCarthy told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2025: Victor Osimhen Speaks On Semi-Final Clash With Morocco

READ ALSO: “I Played Through Pain To Help Man United In Injury Crisis”

“I think he would have been very successful there. But it [Afcon] was a big stumbling block.

“Losing him for so many important matches, the team suffers not having the main striker there.

“So the decision was made. Literally [a] big part was because of the Afcon and Victor Osimhen’s name got scratched off – not a player of interest because of that.”

United instead signed on Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta for £72m in August 2023, who succeeded in giving a good account.

The Denmark international scored 26 goals in 95 appearances before joining Napoli on loan last September.