Former Manchester United first-team coach, Benni McCarthy, has revealed why the club decided not to pursue Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, despite his impressive scoring record.
Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals in the 2022–23 season, helping Napoli win their first Italian league title in 33 years, and became one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.
McCarthy, who was involved in striker recruitment discussions under Erik ten Hag, said Osimhen would have been a perfect fit for United. However, he explained that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) schedule was a major concern for the club.
“I thought he would have fit perfectly. He was at the top of the list,” McCarthy told BBC World Service’s Newsday.
The Africa Cup of Nations often takes place mid-European season, which could mean losing a key striker for several important matches. McCarthy noted:
“If you spend £100 million on a player, you don’t want to lose him for AFCON. Losing your main striker for so many important matches can hurt the team. It was a big stumbling block.”
Because of this, Osimhen was eventually removed from United’s shortlist. Instead, the club signed Danish forward Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta BC in August 2023 for £72 million.
Osimhen went on to win African Footballer of the Year 2023. He later joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024, before making the move permanent the following July. He also helped Galatasaray defeat Juventus in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
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