Three reasons Victor Osimhen must consider to avoid a Manchester United move

The Napoli striker is in the form of his life and could be set for a big summer transfer. But Old Trafford should be the last place on his mind.

Victor Osimhen extended Napoli’s lead on the Serie A table to 12 points on Saturday night with his 13th goal of the season in a 2-0 win at Salernitana. 

The Neapolitans have risen to the occasion, grabbing all the points they can to hold 50 points in 19 games and keep alive their dreams of winning the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years. 

Osimhen’s goal came as he was the quickest to react after Eljif Elmas’ shot hit the right post and fell nicely for the Nigerian to strike into the net. He had been denied an earlier goal for offside. It is increasingly difficult to find that defender that can stop Osimhen, a player unwilling to be stopped. 

His 13th goal in 15 Serie A matches puts him at a rare place among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues alongside Erling Haaland (22) and Harry Kane (15). Therefore, the speculations over his future will continue. 

Last week, former England star Andrew Cole joined the long line of legends asking Manchester United to sign the Super Eagles star. “He’s rangy, got a good first touch, scores goals, and is a decent size as well,” raved Cole. Thank you for pointing it out to them, Mr. Cole. It is audible to the blind and visible to the deaf. 

But will Manchester United be the best option for Osimhen whenever he decides to leave Napoli, where he has become a cultural icon nearing the same levels as Diego Maradona?

Here are three reasons why Osimhen should not consider Manchester United or any other English side, for that matter. 

Small ambitions

Manchester United was a big club in the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. But all that ambition has evaporated since the Scot’s retirement, and Old Trafford has become a once glorious ground. Their stadium is old compared with neighbours Manchester City or the investments made by Arsenal and Tottenham in building new grounds since the turn of the century. 

In his now epic interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo revealed that United’s ambitions are no longer what they used to be. This was backed up by Jesse Lingard recently. The image outside does not match their internal mentality. Despite the incredible work that Erik Ten Haag is doing, Manchester United is no longer the force that it once was, and it will take years to return to that high plane. 

I think Victor should not allow himself to be trapped by the old glory. He deserves to go to a club that can match his ambitions, which is to be the best player in the world.

The Ballon d’Or

At this stage, Victor Osimhen should aim for a Ballon d’Or to add to his name. But there are better places to win it than Manchester United. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has won a Ballon d’Or playing in England in the last 20 years. Previously there was Michael Owen at Liverpool. England rarely gets the Ballon d’Or love. 

Every year, Real Madrid wants to win the UEFA Champions League, so its players get the shout for the top diadems. For a player of great talent and ability, the crowning glory of his career would be to go to a club that has produced the most winners and regularly competes at the top of the game. This should be Victor’s goal, to win it all.

Hence, Manchester United should not be his first option.

Benzema needs replacing

A player can only play so long before age catches up on them. Hence, Real Madrid will be looking to replace Karim Benzema, whose contract ends in June 2023, soon. No Nigerian striker has ever had that privilege, and Victor Osimhen could be the first Madridista. With a little faith, Victor could be the new guy wearing the number 9 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

At Real Madrid, he will become one of the most famous footballers in the world and cement his legacy by being part of an ambitious club that wants titles and fights for them. He will be provided the tools and support he needs as Madrid also prepares for life after a very successful era.

For a player that inspires so much passion and has so much to play for, the least he can do is move to a club that will match his ambitions. But Manchester United is not that place.