Victor Wanyama has shared insights about a momentous period in his career when he nearly joined Manchester United while playing for Celtic in 2012.
The former Harambee Stars captain discussed this critical time when Manchester United, led by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, was reportedly ready to offer £10 million (Ksh 1 billion) for the Kenyan midfielder.
Wanyama’s remarkable rise at Celtic had captured Ferguson’s attention, culminating in a crucial Champions League game against Barcelona. Wanyama’s performance in that match, where he scored the opening goal in Celtic’s 2-1 victory, put him in the spotlight.
Reflecting on that night on Radio47, Wanyama recalled that Ferguson had attended the match to observe him, as told to him by Celtic’s president. This meeting between Ferguson and the club president sparked rumors about Wanyama’s potential transfer to Manchester United.
Wanyama, then a 21-year-old rising star, had joined Celtic in July 2011 from Beerschot AC for £900,000 (Ksh 117 million). He quickly became a fan favorite, paying homage to Celtic’s 1967 European Cup victory by wearing the number 67 jersey.
Throughout his time at Celtic, Wanyama scored 13 goals, including memorable strikes in the Champions League, notably against Barcelona and Helsingborg.
Despite the high interest from Manchester United, a move for Wanyama never came to fruition, particularly as Ferguson left the club around that time. This period at Celtic proved pivotal in Wanyama’s career, shaping his path in professional football, even though he never got to play at Old Trafford.
