T. NashipaeFormer Harambee Stars captain reveals how he missed chance to join Manchester United
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.03.26. | 11:14
Despite missing out on a move to Manchester United, Wanyama’s European career continued to flourish, enjoying success at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has revealed how he came close to completing a dream move to Manchester United during the peak of his career.
The transfer, however, collapsed following the retirement of legendary manager Alex Ferguson.
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Wanyama, who built a strong reputation in Europe with clubs such as Celtic FC, Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur, said the move to Old Trafford was nearly finalized during his time in Scotland.
Speaking on the In Conversation with Chaxy podcast, the Kenyan midfield enforcer recalled how Ferguson personally attended a crucial UEFA Champions League match to watch him in action.
According to Wanyama, news that the iconic manager was in the stands added immense pressure but also pushed him to deliver one of his best performances.
“When I left Celtic, I was going to sign for Manchester United. Ferguson had even come for our Champions League matches.
He said he could not come to league matches because at that time, Celtic was on fire and was beating all teams. So, he came for Champions League matches,” he said.
Wanyama went on to explain that he had been informed before the game that Ferguson was present, specifically to assess his performance.
“Even in the dressing room, everybody told me that Ferguson was there to watch me play. It was so much pressure. I was ready to give my best,” he added.
After the match, Wanyama briefly interacted with Ferguson, leaving him confident that the transfer discussions would soon lead to a deal.
“After the game, we talked, and I was confident that it would be a done deal,” he said.
However, the move ultimately collapsed when Ferguson announced his retirement shortly afterwards, bringing an abrupt end to what could have been a landmark transfer for the Kenyan midfielder.
“After that season, he retired, and that is how the deal did not mature,” Wanyama explained.
Despite missing out on a move to Manchester United, Wanyama’s European career continued to flourish.
In 2013, he secured a move to the English Premier League with Southampton, before later reuniting with manager Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur in 2016.
After several successful seasons in England, the midfielder later moved to Major League Soccer side CF Montréal.
He also made a brief return to Scotland in 2025 when he joined Dunfermline Athletic.