Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has criticised Manchester United for failing to sign Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Lazio midfielder insisted the club’s concern over the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not a valid justification.
Onazi was reacting to recent comments by former United first-team coach Benni McCarthy, who disclosed that Osimhen was removed from the club’s transfer shortlist largely because of fears he would be unavailable during AFCON.
McCarthy explains why United dropped Osimhen
McCarthy revealed that Osimhen was initially a top target at Old Trafford before concerns over AFCON availability changed the club’s stance.
“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 [AFCON] was a big stumbling block. Losing him for so many important matches, the team suffers not having the main striker there,” McCarthy said as quoted by Football transfers.
“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 also praised Osimhen’s mentality and suitability for United, adding:
“He scores goals, he works exceptionally hard, and he’s a player who is immune to the noise. Playing for Man United won’t have a lot of effect on him because of what the boy has gone through in his life.”
The Africa Cup of Nations is still costing some African stars big moves in Europe. That’s according to coach Benni McCarthy who says Victor Osimhen went from ‘top of the list' at Manchester Utd to being passed over.
So, was he ever ‘not worth it'? pic.twitter.com/wZhqMeVQ8J
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 26, 2026
Onazi: AFCON is not an excuse
Onazi, however, rejected McCarthy’s reasoning, arguing that elite clubs already cope with players leaving for international tournaments.
“Well, for me, I don’t think that’s an excuse for them not to sign Victor,” Onazi exclusively told Footy-Africa.
“If they know the importance and what he could be able to bring to the table for Manchester United, that shouldn’t be an excuse because there are other players who go to the African Nations Cup in Manchester United and other clubs too as well, that are very important like Mo Salah in Liverpool.”
He stressed that AFCON lasts roughly a month and should not outweigh Osimhen’s potential impact.
“Victor would have been a very important player in the team and he might even do the job before going to the African Cup and then go and come back. For me, it doesn’t make any sense that they passed on the chance,” he said.
“That’s not any excuse for him to say that Manchester United were thinking about him going to the Nations Cup — that is why they didn’t sign him. I think that’s just a flimsy excuse.”
Ex-Super Eagles star names Nigeria’s most in-form attackers
The former Lazio midfielder also questioned the idea that clubs could block players from AFCON duty.
“African Cup is one of the most important tournaments in Africa. And so, no club can stop any player from going. So, I don’t think that’s an excuse,” he added.
Onazi went on to rank Nigeria’s leading forwards, placing Osimhen at the top.
“For sure, Victor [Osimhen] is number one, who always delivers any day, any time, every time in the game. So, for me, he’s one of the top on the chart.”
He also praised Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams for their club form, concluding that Nigeria’s attackers are “making us really, really proud” and must bring the same energy to the national team.
