Former Manchester United first-team coach, Benni McCarthy, has explained why the club opted not to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen became one of Europe’s most in-demand forwards after scoring 26 goals in the 2022–23 Serie A season, leading Napoli to their first Italian league title in 33 years.
McCarthy, who worked under then-manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, revealed that he was part of discussions on striker recruitment and considered Osimhen a perfect fit for United. However, the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) played a key role in the decision.
I thought he would have fit perfectly,” McCarthy told BBC World Service’s Newsday. “He was at the top of the list.
If you spend £100 million on a player, you don’t want to lose him for AFCON. Losing your main striker for crucial matches can hurt the team. It was a big stumbling block.
The biennial timing of the tournament ultimately led United to remove Osimhen from their shortlist. Instead, the club signed Danish forward Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta BC in August 2023 for £72 million.
Osimhen later won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023. After leaving Napoli, he joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024 and completed a permanent move the following July, helping the Turkish side defeat Juventus in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
