Victor Wanyama: I Almost Joined Manchester United

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has revealed that he nearly joined Manchester United during the peak of his career, but the move ultimately collapsed despite interest from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Kenyan midfielder, who built a strong reputation in Europe, explained that Ferguson had personally watched him play during his time at Celtic FC.

However, circumstances surrounding the manager’s impending retirement meant the deal never materialised.

Wanyama has enjoyed spells at major clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic FC and Southampton FC, making the missed opportunity with Manchester United one of the most intriguing “what if” moments of his career.

Ferguson Watched Wanyama in Champions League

Speaking about the near transfer, Wanyama said Ferguson had been closely monitoring his performances at Celtic, especially in European competitions.

“When I left Celtic, I almost signed with Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had even come to watch the Champions League matches.”

“He did not come to watch the league matches because at the time, it was not competitive, and we were beating all our opponents,” Victor Wanyama revealed.

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The midfielder said he was informed before the match that Ferguson was in the stands specifically to watch him play, adding extra motivation to deliver a strong performance.

“On that day, I had already been told, in the dressing room, that Ferguson had come to watch me play. I did my best, I even talked to him after the game, and then he left.”

Retirement Rumours Ended the Transfer Hopes

Despite the encouraging signs, Wanyama explained that rumours about Ferguson’s retirement soon began to circulate, casting doubt over the potential deal.

According to the former Harambee Stars captain, once the speculation started, he realised the opportunity might slip away.

“Shortly after, I heard rumours that he wanted to retire, and I knew that it was never meant to be.”

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Ferguson eventually retired from Manchester United in 2013 after an illustrious career that saw him transform the club into one of the most successful teams in world football.

Successful Career Despite Missed Move

Although the Manchester United move never happened, Wanyama still went on to enjoy a successful career in top European leagues.

After his standout spell at Celtic, he joined Southampton FC in the English Premier League in 2013 before reuniting with manager Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur in 2016.

Later in his career, Wanyama moved to Major League Soccer with CF Montréal before making a brief return to Scotland in 2025 to play for Dunfermline Athletic.

While the Manchester United transfer never happened, Wanyama’s journey remains one of the most successful for a Kenyan footballer in European football history.

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