The fact that Harry Kane was not pursued by Manchester United has been acknowledged as “shocking” by Paul Merson.
Kane was initially Erik ten Hag’s main priority this summer as the Dutchman emphasized bringing in a new striker. However, despite the fact that the England captain’s contract expires in the summer, they gave off their pursuit after Tottenham refused to lower their £100 million asking price.
Rasmus Hojlund, a striker who scored just nine goals last season, was instead acquired for £72 million from Atalanta. In contrast, despite Spurs’ eighth-place Premier League result, Kane scored 30 goals for the London side.
Merson does not approve of United’s decision to forgo their chase of Kane in favor of signing the comparatively inexperienced Hojlund. Instead, he has been shocked by the failure to sign the England captain, particularly as Ten Hag was previously said to be “obsessed” with acquiring Kane.
“I’m still stunned that Man United didn’t buy him as I sit here now. I’m stunned. According to him, Man United would have won the Premier League if they had purchased him. “You would have gotten a solid four to five years out of him,” he told Sky Sports.
“You have got no choice – you can’t let him go for nothing, surely they can’t let him go for nothing next season. Whoever you are and in this day and age – and I know there’s a lot of money in the Premier League – but you’d be that mad.
Will this Spurs team finish in the top four this year? I’d be surprised. Therefore, whatever we lose by selling him, you’ll gain by returning to the Champions League. It’s not like you’re retaining him and ensuring your spot in the top four. That won’t actually happen.
If they lose him, they’ll go from a squad that we believe might finish in the top four to a team that wouldn’t place in the top half. He scored 30 goals last season, including 30 league goals, as they finished ninth.
Merson has expressed surprise at the choice to sign Hojlund rather than Kane, but Ten Hag seems pleased with his new striker. The Dutchman is sure he can make a significant impact even if he will miss the first game of the season due to injury.
He’s a front man who gets right to the point. A strong presser and physical presence were things I believe our group as a whole required. Along with Rashford, [he is] another player who is aggressive and capable of scoring goals, and that is all that is on his mind, he stated.
United’s Adidas home shirt is made up of the same colour of the city’s iconic red rose and features a black collar. The collar also features a dash of both red and white, giving it a slick and modernised look.
“I think he has such enormous potential, and now it is up to him to explore it. We, the coaches, will support him in doing so. The entire team was probably looking for someone of his kind, and they will all work together to support him whether it’s in the locker room or on the play.
“But as I stated, the player must ultimately make the case. We need players who are driven to score goals, win matches, and take home trophies, and that is the kind of player we need.