“Big stumbling block”: Ex-coach explains why United turned down move for explosive Nigerian striker

Manchester United were briefly linked with a move for Victor Osimhen in the past, but the transfer never materialised. The Red Devils were looking to address their No. 9 position under former manager Erik ten Hag when the Nigerian was running riot at Napoli.

Osimhen spent parts of his career at Wolfsburg and Lille, but it was at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium that he became a household name. The Nigerian scored 31 goals in 39 games across competitions in the 2022/23 campaign, helping the Partenopei lift the Serie A title.

United were in the market for a new striker in the summer of 2023 and Osimhen was identified as an option. However, the Red Devils opted against a move for the 27 year old and signed Rasmus Hojlund instead from Atalanta.

Former United striker coach Benni McCarthy, who spent two years at Old Trafford from the summer of 2022, has now shed light on the club’s decision to snub the Nigerian.

AFCON concerns

Speaking to Newsday on the BBC World Service, McCarthy insisted that AFCON played a key role in the Premier League giants’ decision not to pursue Osimhen. He said: “If you spend £100m on a player, you don’t want to lose him for AFCON. 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 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 – not a player of interest because of that.”

Osimhen stayed at Napoli for another season, and joined Galatasaray initially on loan in 2024 before the move was made permanent last summer. This season, the Nigerian has scored 15 goals and set up five more in 23 appearances in all competitions.

Victor Osimhen Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Hojlund, meanwhile, failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford and was offloaded last summer on loan to Napoli, who have an option to sign him permanently at the end of this season.

Osimhen could have been a hit at Old Trafford

McCarthy insisted that Osimhen had all the qualities to be a hit at the Theatre of Dreams, adding: “He scores goals, he works exceptionally hard, and he’s a player [who is] immune to the noise.”

“Playing for Man Utd won’t have a lot of effect on him because of what the boy has gone through [in] his life. Where he comes from, he’s seen way worse than this. Him not scoring for five games in a row won’t affect him. He’ll just keep going on because he knows what struggle is about.”

“[It] made me kind of sad as well because, my whole career, I fought to represent my country because I’m African.”

United signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last summer in a bid to strengthen the position once again. The Slovenian has been in impressive form since the turn of the year, and has scored eight goals from 24 games in all competitions this season.

Final Thoughts

United have lacked a potent goalscorer like Osimhen for a while, and the Nigerian could certainly have been a superb addition to their squad. However, that ship has sailed and if recent signs are any indication, Sesko could finally be the No. 9 the Red Devils have craved.

Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images

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