Man Utd left to look silly as reason for snubbing Victor Osimhen emerges

Manchester United reportedly agreed two reasons to opt against launching a swoop for Victor Osimhen in Erik ten Hag’s first summer transfer window. But the profile of the two strikers brought to Old Trafford under the Dutchman’s watch makes one of the club’s alleged grounds for the snub bemusing.

Ten Hag has signed three strikers since arriving at United two years ago. First, Wout Weghorst arrived on an emergency loan from Burnley in January 2023 in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive exit.

In the two summers that followed, the Red Devils splashed a combined £108.5million on Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.

However, according to ESPN, after United scouted Osimhen during the 2022/23 season, concerns were shared about whether the quality of the Serie A masked the Napoli star’s true ability.

It’s claimed that club figures cited Romelu Lukaku’s monstrous form after leaving for Inter Milan in a £74m move as a reason to be sceptical.

Lukaku registered 78 goals and 23 assists in 132 games in Italy, which ultimately earned him a £97.5m return to Chelsea, where he flopped, scoring just 15 goals in 44 appearances.

The report adds that United were also unconvinced by Osimhen’s ability to hold the ball up and combine with his fellow forwards in attacking moves.

But the reported doubts about Osimhen’s prolific Serie A exploits make little sense, considering Hojlund and Zirkzee both came from the same league.

The 25-year-old Nigerian scored 65 goals in 108 league games for Napoli before securing a shock loan switch to Galatasaray at the end of the summer window.

But Hojlund, only 20 at the time of his dream move to United, had netted just 10 times in 34 games for Atalanta.

And while Zirkzee was named the Serie A’s Young Player of the Season for his impressive displays for Bologna last term, he only scored 14 goals in two seasons at the club.

Hojlund was United’s top goalscorer in his maiden campaign with 16 strikes but suffered lengthy droughts and isn’t near the finished article.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee marked his debut with a memorable late winner against Fulham at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the Premier League.

But the Dutchman hasn’t scored in the five games since, and he’s contributed to United’s league-high 17 missed big chances.

Zirkzee has shown his class in the build-up, though, and there will be confidence goals will follow. Hojlund made his return from injury against Crystal Palace, and he’ll be eyeing a higher tally in 2024/25.

That said, Osimhen will be back on the market next summer, and his availability can’t be snuffed at if United’s goal struggles continue.