**Why Man United Missed the Mark on Victor Osimhen** In a recent interview, former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy shed light on why the Red Devils didn't sign Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen. As fans of the beautiful game in Nigeria know, Osimhen has been making waves in Europe with his impressive goal-scoring form, especially during his time at Napoli. McCarthy, who was part of the United coaching team during Erik ten Hag's tenure, revealed that Osimhen was indeed at the top of their striker recruitment list following his stellar 2022-23 season, where he helped Napoli win their first Italian league title in 33 years. However, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) schedule posed a significant challenge for the club. The biennial AFCON competition often coincides with key European matches, and McCarthy highlighted that losing a main striker like Osimhen for an extended period could be detrimental to the team's performance. "If you invest heavily in a player, you don't want to sacrifice him for AFCON," McCarthy said, pointing out that the disruption could be costly. As a result, Osimhen's name was eventually removed from United's shortlist. Instead, they signed Danish forward Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta BC in August 2023 for £72 million. Osimhen, of course, went on to win the African Footballer of the Year award in 2023 and later joined Galatasaray on loan before making a permanent move to the Turkish side. The implications of this decision are interesting, especially considering Osimhen's subsequent success with Galatasaray, including their Champions League playoff win against Juventus. While United fans might be wondering what could have been, McCarthy's insights offer a glimpse into the complexities of player recruitment and the challenges that top clubs face when making big decisions. As we continue to follow the careers of Nigerian footballers abroad, it's clear that Victor Osimhen's talent and dedication have earned him a spot among the continent's elite.