Man United’s Osimhen transfer error exposed as 10-man Man City win at Old Trafford

Man United’s 1-0 defeat by 10-man Man City at Old Trafford has exposed the attacking problem that could have been solved by signing Victor Osimhen, Afrik-Foot reports.

Michael Carrick’s side had every reason to believe they could beat Enzo Maresca’s City. United were at home, had started the season with attacking promise and were facing a City side that had won their first three league games but were still settling under a new manager.

The hosts also had the biggest advantage of the afternoon when Phil Foden was sent off in the 22nd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, leaving City with 10 men for more than an hour.

Instead of taking control, United struggled to make their numerical advantage count. They had more of the ball and pushed City back for long periods, but the final pass, finish and movement inside the penalty area were missing. Two efforts also struck the woodwork, yet United could not find a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The result was particularly damaging because City did not need to dominate possession to win. Haaland scored in the 60th minute after a move involving Enzo Fernández and Josko Gvardiol, with VAR eventually allowing the goal to stand after an offside check. It was the Norwegian’s ninth goal in Manchester derby history.

Osimhen could have given United the missing edge

United’s biggest problem was not creating moments. It was finishing them.

Bruno Fernandes created eight chances and Bryan Mbeumo also carried a threat, while Marcus Rashford managed four shots. Matheus Cunha, however, struggled to turn his involvement into a serious goal threat, and when Benjamin Sesko came on in the 67th minute, the youngster had little impact against City’s experienced defence.

That is where Victor Osimhen would have offered something different. The Nigeria international is a proven penalty-box striker who combines pace, power and aggressive movement. Against a City defence sitting deep with 10 men, his ability to attack crosses, run between defenders and finish quickly could have changed the way United attacked.

Carrick had already seen enough to know that Sesko alone would not solve every problem. United brought in the Slovenian striker as their major attacking option, but the derby showed why a second elite forward could have been valuable.

Osimhen was not a fantasy target, either. United had considered him during the summer, while former players Patrice Evra and Louis Saha publicly urged the club to make a move. Rio Ferdinand also backed the idea of bringing the Super Eagles star to Old Trafford. United even made an enquiry about Osimhen during the transfer window before the move failed to happen.

The club ultimately chose a different route. That decision now looks costly. United had more than 70 minutes against 10-man City but still failed to score, while Haaland needed only one decisive moment to settle the derby.

One defeat does not decide a Premier League title race. But if United continue to create chances without a striker capable of turning tight games in their favour, their decision to pass on Osimhen could prove to be one of the reasons they fall short of the title challengers.