Benni McCarthy, who previously served as a first-team coach at Manchester United, has shed light on why the club opted against signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen established himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, netting 26 goals in the 2022–23 Serie A season, which played a crucial part in Napoli winning their first Italian league trophy in over three decades.
McCarthy, who was involved in player recruitment discussions under then- manager Erik ten Hag, expressed his belief that Osimhen would have been a perfect match for the club, but indicated that the schedule for the Africa Cup of Nations was a significant factor in United's decision not to pursue him.
“I felt he would have been a perfect fit,” McCarthy stated during an interview on BBC World Service's Newsday. “He was highly regarded on our list.”
Nonetheless, the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations, typically held during the European league season, emerged as a substantial concern.
“If you invest £100 million in a player, you certainly don’t want to lose him for the AFCON,” McCarthy elaborated. “Losing your primary striker during crucial matches could severely impact the team. This posed a major challenge.”
According to McCarthy, the clash with the tournament’s schedule ultimately led the club to reevaluate their choice, causing Osimhen’s name to be removed from their list of potential signings, primarily due to the potential disruption his absence could cause.
Instead, Manchester United secured Danish striker Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta BC in August 2023 for a fee of £72 million.
Osimhen later earned the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023. He then moved on loan to Galatasaray in September 2024 after his stint with Napoli, finalizing the transfer to the Turkish club the following July.
He subsequently played a key role in helping Galatasaray overcome Juventus in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
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