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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag told to repeat Sir Alex Ferguson transfer trick with Harry Kane

Louis Saha has urged Erik ten Hag to sign a proven Premier League goalscorer in Harry Kane, replicating Sir Alex Ferguson's title-winning decision to land Robin van Persie in 2012.

The Manchester United manager is expected to prioritise a world-class No.9 this summer, with Kane top of a shortlist that is also thought to include Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham Hotspur striker has made no secret of his desire to win major silverware after another trophy-less campaign in north London.

The Reds have been over-reliant on the goals of Marcus Rashford this season and Ten Hag will hope another 20+ goal frontman can propel them to a title challenge. And Saha has urged the Dutchman to repeat Ferguson's decision to land a tried and tested Premier League player.

ALSO READ: Dimitar Berbatov backs Victor Osimhen over Harry Kane

"I think Kane and Man Utd is a perfect match," Saha told DAZN Bet. "I don’t see how, with the way they play, without Martial fit, they can challenge for the league. But football is not mathematics, you have to start a new fresh league with new opponents. The projection we all see is Harry Kane providing guarantees, goals and assists. He has that charisma, I see it.

The impact Van Persie had was obvious. The manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said give the ball to Robin, ‘give the guy the ball and we will win the league’. I think it would be the same, give the ball to Harry and there is something special at 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 2012/2013 title - Ferguson's final triumph in the league. Kane has put in similar numbers for several seasons at Spurs but to no avail, the 29-year-old yet to add a trophy to his individual honours.

A move to Old Trafford could see that personal drought ended, and Saha believes the England international would fit into the club and cope with the demands of leading a United line.

"Every week I see the type of game where Harry Kane would be perfect," the former Reds forward added. "Kane is a guaranteed number of goals, games and assists. He’s smart in his game, a top player. He can handle the pressure. He knows the Premier League inside out, he knows how to behave with the press.

"Going to a club with the calibre of Man Utd, to go on and be the club's number 9, you will need that kind of charisma that the likes of Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy were representing. Andy Cole too, that kind of bracket. Berbatov too.

"To remain Premier League winners, you need strikers who can score 25 to 30 goals, getting you out of situations and Harry Kane is one of them."

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