Victor Wanyama Reveals Why His Move to Manchester United Collapsed Despite Sir Alex Ferguson's Interest

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has opened up about a move that nearly saw him join Manchester United during the peak of his career.

The Kenyan defensive midfielder, who built an impressive reputation in Europe, revealed that the transfer collapsed despite strong interest from the Premier League giants.

Victor 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.

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Speaking on the In Conversation w\Chaxy podcast, Victor Wanyama revealed that a potential move to Manchester United was once very close during his spell at Celtic FC.

The Harambee Stars legend explained that he had been told before a crucial Champions League match that legendary manager Alex Ferguson was present in the stands to assess his performance, which pushed him to raise his level and showcase his abilities on the big stage.

Victor Wanyama said the knowledge that one of football’s most respected managers was watching gave him extra motivation to deliver a strong performance throughout the match.

He revealed that he later had a brief interaction with Ferguson after the game, an encounter that left him hopeful that discussions about a transfer could soon follow.

However, he noted that speculation about the long-serving Manchester United manager nearing retirement began to circulate shortly afterwards.

According to Victor Wanyama, once those reports emerged, he sensed that the move would likely fall through, as the circumstances around the club were about to change, ultimately bringing an end to what could have been a landmark transfer in his career.

“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.

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

However, the failed Manchester United transfer did not end his career. After his successful tenure at Celtic FC, Victor Wanyama moved to the English Premier League to play for Southampton in 2013 and later joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2016.

Following his time in England, he transitioned to Major League Soccer with CF Montréal before making a brief return to Scotland in 2025 to play for Dunfermline Athletic.