The Man United boss has his eye on a world-class striker this summer as he builds a squad worthy of a title challenge
Former Manchester United forward, Louis Saha has urged Erik ten Hag to sign a proven Premier League goalscorer in Harry Kane, emulating Sir Alex Ferguson’s game-winning decision to sign Robin van Persie in 2012.
The Manchester United manager is expected to prioritize a world-class No.9 this summer, with Kane topping a shortlist that would also include Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham Hotspur striker has made no secret of his desire to win big titles after another trophyless season in north London.
The Reds have relied too much on goals from Marcus Rashford this season and Ten Hag will be hoping another 20+ goal scorer can lead them to a title challenge. And Saha urged the Dutchman to replicate Ferguson’s decision to sign a proven Premier League player.
“I think Kane and Man Utd are a perfect match,” Saha told DAZN Bet. “I don’t see how they can fight for the league with their style of play, without martial fit. But football is not math, you have to create a fresh new league with new opponents. The projection we all see is Harry Kane delivering guarantees, goals and assists, he has that charisma that I see.
Van Persie’s impact was clear. The manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said of giving the ball to Robin, “give the ball to that man and we’ll win the league”. I think it would be the same, give the ball to Harry and there’s something special about the end of the season.
Van Persie won the Golden Boot in his first season at Old Trafford, with 26 goals in 38 games as the Reds won the 2012/13 title, Ferguson’s last league win. Kane has posted similar numbers at Spurs for several seasons but unsuccessfully, the 29-year-old is yet to add a trophy to his individual accolades.
A move to Old Trafford could mean the end of the personal drought, and Saha believes the England international would suit the club and meet the demands of managing a United line.
“Every week I see the kind of game that Harry Kane would be perfect in,” added the former Reds striker. “Kane is a guaranteed number of goals, matches and assists. He is smart in his game, a top player. He can handle the pressure. He knows the Premier League inside out, he knows how to deal with the press.
“When you go to a club of the caliber of Man Utd, to get ahead and become number 9 in the club, you need the kind of charisma that players like Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy represented. Andy Cole too, that kind of group Berbatov too.
“To remain a Premier League winner you need strikers who can score 25 to 30 goals, who can get you out of situations and Harry Kane is one of them.”
