Manchester United Facing Backlash After Former Coach Benni McCarthy Reveals Bizarre Reason for Rejecting Victor Osimhen Transfer

Former coach Benni McCarthy exposes the "ridiculous" reason Manchester United rejected Victor Osimhen, citing AFCON concerns as a major transfer stumbling block.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 10:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

The Transaction or Development

A startling revelation has emerged regarding Manchester United's failure to secure Victor Osimhen, with former coach Benni McCarthy confirming the Nigerian striker was once at the "top of the list." According to McCarthy, the deal for the prolific forward was not derailed by financial constraints or lack of talent, but rather by a specific scheduling conflict involving international duties. The decision to "scratch off" the name of one of Europe’s most lethal finishers has sparked intense debate about the competency of the recruitment strategies previously employed at Old Trafford.

Regulatory and Competitive Landscape

The logic used to justify the rejection centered on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament that traditionally takes place mid-season and requires players to be absent from club duties for several weeks. McCarthy explained that the club hierarchy was unwilling to invest £100 million in a marquee signing only to lose him for a critical portion of the domestic calendar. This rigid adherence to the club's availability criteria led United to pivot toward other targets, eventually settling on Rasmus Hojlund in the summer of 2023, while Osimhen eventually secured a high-profile move to Galatasaray.

Strategic Rationale and Market Impact

McCarthy’s comments suggest that the decision was driven by a fear of suffering through "important matches" without a primary striker, a rationale that has been labeled as "absurd" by industry critics. Historical context highlights the flaw in this thinking, as rivals like Liverpool have achieved immense success by embracing AFCON stars like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane despite their mid-season absences. By prioritizing short-term availability over long-term quality, Manchester United effectively opted out of the race for a player who had recently spearheaded Napoli’s historic Serie A title win.