Manchester United didn’t try to sign Victor Osimhen mainly because of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to former United coach Benni McCarthy.
The Nigerian striker, who scored 26 league goals in 2022-23 to help Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years, was initially a top target for the Red Devils. McCarthy, who helped with striker recruitment under Erik ten Hag, said Osimhen “would have been perfect” for United.
But AFCON, which takes place in the middle of the European season, made the club hesitant. “If you spend £100m on a player, you don’t want to lose him for AFCON,” McCarthy explained. Missing Osimhen for key matches was a big concern, so United chose other targets instead.
United went on to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72m in August 2023. Osimhen, meanwhile, was African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and moved from Napoli to Galatasaray—first on loan in 2024, then permanently in 2025.
