‘That’s where they went wrong’ – Ex-Man Utd coach says Harry Kane was their no1 target but chiefs insisted on Hojlund

FORMER Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has revealed why the club signed Rasmus Hojlund over Harry Kane.

Back in the summer of 2023, then-United manager Erik ten Hag made it his priority to sign a new striker.

The Red Devils quickly became heavily linked with Kane amid ongoing doubts surrounding his future at Tottenham.

However, they could not reach an agreement with Spurs and instead chose to sign Hojlund in a £72million transfer from Atalanta.

Just days later, Kane completed a stunning £104m move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Since joining Bayern, the England captain has scored 73 goals and provided 22 assists in 75 appearances.

Meanwhile, Hojlund has amassed just 26 goal contributions in the same number of outings.

Ex-coach McCarthy, who left United in June last year, admitted the club made the wrong decision by focusing on the Dane.

Speaking at the launch of Ladrokes’ Gaffer of all Accas, McCarthy said: “In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our No1 target.

“Kane was the prime target, but obviously the price tag was an issue. 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. 

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“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.

“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 someone like Harry Kane involved.

“So yeah, Harry Kane was Erik’s No1 target. Erik really wanted him. Randal 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 to complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package.

“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.”

Man Utd currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with just 27 points from 25 games.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk