Former Coach Reveals Why Manchester United Passed on Signing Nigerian Star Victor Osimhen
South African football legend Benni McCarthy has publicly disclosed the primary reason why Manchester United decided against signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during the 2023 transfer window. McCarthy, who served as an assistant coach at Manchester United from July 2022 to June 2024, provided crucial insights into the club's transfer deliberations during a recent interview with BBC Sport.
The AFCON Factor in Transfer Decision
According to McCarthy, Victor Osimhen was actually at the top of Manchester United's striker wishlist during the summer of 2023. The Super Eagles forward had just led Napoli to the Italian Serie A title under head coach Luciano Spalletti, making him one of Europe's most sought-after attacking talents. However, the Africa Cup of Nations tournament schedule presented a significant obstacle that ultimately changed United's transfer strategy.
"If you spend £100 million on a player, you don't want to lose him for AFCON," McCarthy explained during his interview. "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 from not having the main striker there."
The former coach elaborated that Osimhen's potential absence during critical Premier League matches due to international duty with Nigeria became a decisive factor in the club's evaluation process. "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," McCarthy revealed.
Manchester United's Alternative Choice
Instead of pursuing Osimhen, Manchester United opted to sign Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund for £72 million during that same transfer window. This decision came despite significant interest from other top European clubs in the Nigerian forward, including Chelsea, Juventus, and several Saudi Arabian teams.
Napoli's president Aurelio de Laurentiis had been particularly resistant to selling Osimhen during the 2023 summer window, even as Chelsea negotiated until the European transfer deadline day. Those talks ultimately collapsed when Osimhen rejected what was described as a low salary offer from the London club.
Osimhen's Subsequent Career Path
Following the failed transfer negotiations, Victor Osimhen moved to Turkish club Galatasaray on a loan deal with an option for permanent transfer. During his season in Turkey, the Nigerian striker delivered exceptional performances, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists while helping Galatasaray win the Turkish Super League title.
Impressed by his contributions, Galatasaray successfully negotiated a permanent transfer with Napoli for €75 million. The club's vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, has since stated that Osimhen's market value has doubled since that transfer, and Galatasaray remains unwilling to sell their prized asset despite continued interest from Spanish clubs.
The Hojlund Experiment and Aftermath
Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund's tenure at Manchester United failed to meet expectations, and the Danish striker left the club in 2025 to join Napoli in Italy. Ironically, this move positioned Hojlund as Osimhen's technical replacement at the Italian club after the Nigerian's permanent departure to Turkey.
The revelation from Benni McCarthy provides significant insight into how international tournament schedules can influence major football transfer decisions at elite European clubs. While Osimhen has continued to excel in his career, Manchester United's concerns about losing a key striker during critical domestic competitions ultimately shaped their recruitment strategy during that pivotal transfer window.
