Former Manchester United assistant head coach Benni McCarthy has stated that the club ruled out the possibility of signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in 2023 because of the AFCON. [Scroll down to watch video]
He shared that the thought of Man United paying hefty money to sign Osimhen only to lose him for a period in the middle of the season aside the serious threat of injury dissuaded the Red Devils from signing him.
McCarthy, who is Kenya’s National Men’s Football Team head coach shared this in an interview with the BBC while talking about his time at Man United as Erik Ten Hag’s assistant.
“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 [the AFCON] was a big stumbling block. Losing him for so many important matches, the team suffers not having the main striker there.”
Assistant coach of Manchester United Benni McCarthy looks on before the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“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” McCarthy said.
Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring goal (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Osimhen was coming off winning the Italian Serie A title with Napoli while scoring 26 goals. However, Man United signed Denmark international Rasmus Hojlund.
Victor Osimhen with the Super Eagles Photo Courtesy: Nigeria Football Federation
Osimhen joined Galatasaray midway through the 2024-2025 campaign and scored a crucial goal to help the Turkish club qualify to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 stage. He has won an AFCON silver and bronze medal in his career.
Victor Osimhen (L) of Galatasaray in action against Andre Onana (R) of Trabzonspor during the Turkish Super Lig week 11 football match between Galatasaray and Trabzonspor (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu via Getty Images)
🎥“I think he would have been very successful there but the AFCON was a big stumbling block.”— Former Manchester United first-team coach, Benni McCarthy on why the club failed to sign Victor Osihmen. 🇳🇬#CitiSports (@BBCAfrica) pic.twitter.com/UhnN3EllLA
