Why Man United dropped Osimhen signing plan revealed

Manchester United decided against signing Victor Osimhen largely because of concerns over the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations, according to former first-team coach Benni McCarthy.

Osimhen had attracted interest from leading European clubs after scoring 26 league goals in the 2022–23 season to help Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years.

McCarthy, who worked at Old Trafford under former manager Erik ten Hag, revealed that the Nigerian striker was strongly considered during recruitment discussions and was initially rated highly by the coaching staff.

He said the club, however, became concerned about losing a key player to AFCON during the European season.

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

“I think he would have been very successful there. But it 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.”

United eventually signed Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta for £72 million in August 2023. The Danish striker scored 26 goals in 95 appearances before later joining Napoli on loan.

Osimhen went on to win the 2023 African Footballer of the Year award before leaving Napoli for Galatasaray on loan in September 2024. The Nigerian striker later completed a permanent transfer to the Turkish club in July.