Benni McCarthy says Afcon schedule led Manchester United to rule out Osimhen
Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy says the Africa Cup of Nations schedule was a decisive factor in the club's decision not to sign osimhen, a move that cleared the way for United to recruit another striker in August 2023.
Why Osimhen was ruled out
McCarthy, who worked on the Old Trafford coaching staff, said the biennial staging of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which often falls in the middle of the European season, made United wary of signing a forward who could be absent for important stretches. He said the absence of a main striker for Afcon matches would harm the team and that Victor Osimhen's name was ultimately scratched from United's list of targets.
McCarthy's explanation in his words
McCarthy framed the decision in blunt terms: "If you spend £100m on a player, you don't want to lose him for Afcon, " he said. He added that Osimhen would have fitted the club and that the striker's scoring record and temperament made him an attractive option, but the prospect of losing him mid-season was a "big stumbling block. " The club instead moved to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72m in August 2023.
Where Osimhen ended up
Osimhen had drawn interest across Europe after scoring 26 league goals in 2022-23 to help Napoli to their first Italian title in 33 years. He was named African footballer of the year in 2023, left Napoli to join Galatasaray on loan in September 2024, and then sealed a permanent switch to the Turkish club last July.
United's recruitment choice had immediate consequences: Hojlund arrived in August 2023 and later scored 26 goals in 95 appearances before joining Napoli on loan last September. McCarthy said he believed Osimhen would have been successful at Old Trafford, but that the Afcon timing was a decisive factor in the club's final call.
Osimhen now plays for Galatasaray after sealing a permanent move last July, while Manchester United proceeded with their August 2023 signing of Rasmus Hojlund and subsequent squad plans.
