Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has claimed that the club didn’t move for Harry Kane as they didn’t see the England captain as a worthwhile investment.
Former South Africa international McCarthy spent two years working with ex-United manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and has now opened up on the failed move for the ex-Spurs striker. The Red Devils were seen as one of the leading contenders for Kane’s signature upon his decision to leave Tottenham.
However, McCarthy has revealed that the club baulked at the £100million price tag, insisting that was too much money to pay for the then 30-year-old Kane. “In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our No. 1 target,” McCarthy said exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of Gaffer of all Accas.
Kane eventually joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a deal that could eventually be worth £120million, becoming the club’s most expensive player ever. Since his switch to Bavaria, Kane has netted an astonishing 73 goals in 75 games, yet McCarthy has disclosed how United thought they would be getting more value for their money moving for Rasmus Hojlund.
“Kane was the prime target, but obviously the price tag was an issue,” McCarthy added. “Because he would have been leaving Spurs for United, a few extra million pounds were added on to the price tag, which, you know, for a 30-year-old wasn’t seen to be wise.
“But for £100 million, if you look at it now, you’d say that it would have been well worth it because he’s gone to Bayern and he’s still producing, he’s still scoring. So you think we should have just bitten the bullet and got Harry Kane and then also tried to invest in Rasmus Hojlund. That would have been the best thing for Rasmus if he had had someone like Harry Kane involved.
“So, yeah, Harry Kane was Erik’s No. 1 target. Erik really wanted him. Kolo Muani was also very high on that list. Victor Osimhen was also on that list. But I felt that if you’re going to want to spend that kind of money – £100 million plus – then you want the complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package.
“But unfortunately, the club didn’t see it that way. They looked at it as Rasmus Hojlund in the long run would be a more prized asset than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane. So we stopped pursuing Kane and we ended up getting just Rasmus.”
Hojlund has scored 23 goals in 75 appearances for United and has come in for criticism for what some have perceived as lacklustre performances in the red shirt. The Danish star’s troubles in front of goal have now seen Ruben Amorim‘s side linked with Kane once again.
The 31-year-old has been linked with several Premier League clubs this week after his release clause at Munich was revealed by German outlet Bild. While Kane has yet to win any major trophies at Munich, his stunning record in front of goal would suggest the club would prefer to keep him in Germany.
Yet a clause that could have been activated in the most recent January transfer window for £67m, which will drop to £54m next January, has had English clubs circling the star. While Spurs are said to have first refusal on Kane they could face a transfer battle with United, as Red Devils minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly keen to make amends for missing out Kane first time around by orchestrating an audacious swoop the player.
