Former Coach Benni McCarthy Explains Manchester United's Osimhen Decision
South African football legend Benni McCarthy, who served as an assistant coach at Manchester United from July 2022 to June 2024, has publicly disclosed the primary reason the Premier League club opted against signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. According to McCarthy, the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament played a crucial role in the decision-making process.
The AFCON Factor in Transfer Considerations
In an interview with BBC Sport, McCarthy revealed that Osimhen was actually at the top of Manchester United's transfer target list during the summer of 2023. However, the club's management expressed significant concerns about potentially losing their star striker during the middle of the Premier League season when AFCON competitions typically take place.
"If you spend £100 million on a player, you don't want to lose him for AFCON," McCarthy explained. "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 emphasized that this consideration ultimately led to Osimhen's name being removed from Manchester United's transfer plans. "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 stated definitively.
Manchester United's Alternative Choice and Subsequent Developments
Instead of pursuing Osimhen, Manchester United invested £72 million in Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund during that same transfer window. This decision proved disappointing for both parties, as Hojlund's performance at Old Trafford failed to meet expectations. The Danish forward eventually departed the club in 2025, joining Italian side Napoli where he technically replaced Osimhen after the Nigerian's permanent departure.
Meanwhile, Osimhen's career trajectory took a different path. After leading Napoli to the Italian Serie A title in the 2022-2023 season under coach Luciano Spalletti, the Nigerian striker faced transfer challenges due to Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis's reluctance to sell despite interest from multiple top clubs including Chelsea, Juventus, and Saudi Arabian teams.
Osimhen's Successful Move to Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen eventually joined Turkish club Galatasaray on loan with an option for permanent transfer. During his loan spell, he delivered exceptional performances, scoring 37 goals and providing 8 assists while helping Galatasaray secure the Turkish Super League title. His outstanding form prompted the Turkish club to pursue a permanent deal, which they successfully completed for €75 million after extended negotiations with Napoli.
Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu has since revealed that Osimhen's market value has effectively doubled since his permanent signing, with the club firmly stating they have no intention of selling their prized asset despite continued interest from Spanish clubs.
The Broader Context of African Players in European Football
This revelation from Benni McCarthy highlights an ongoing challenge faced by African footballers competing in European leagues. The scheduling conflict between AFCON tournaments and critical periods in European domestic seasons continues to influence transfer decisions and career opportunities for African players at the highest levels of club football.
The disclosure provides significant insight into the complex factors that top European clubs consider when evaluating potential signings from African nations, extending beyond pure footballing ability to include logistical and scheduling considerations that can substantially impact team performance during crucial competitive periods.
