Manchester United are set to be in the market for a manager and a striker this summer with, both positions needing to be filled ahead of next season. In terms of the manager, the top targets are reportedly Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag.
The striker target is still unclear, but it will most likely depend on who is chosen as the new manager. If Ten Hag is chosen, United will likely look to sign a target-man who is able to link up the play but if Pochettino is chosen, some reports seem to suggest that he will go back to his old club Tottenham for Harry Kane.
According to the Daily Mirror, United are exploring Kane as an option in the event of Pochettino's arrival. The striker will be 29 in July and, with two years left on his contract, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be keen to extend his deal or move him on before his value deteriorates.
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The fact that nothing is decided on the manager front aside, United moving for Kane would be a foolish idea and many of the issues with the transfer are similar to those that surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo's return last year. Therefore it would be wise for United to avoid spending what would likely be a significant portion of their budget on the England captain.
Like Ronaldo, Kane could be considered a 'win-now' signing. When everything else is in place with the team, you sign him to give the team the added push they need to win trophies. United will be at the start of their project in the summer and unlikely to challenge for the next few seasons.
Even if United are in a position to challenge in three years, Kane will be 31 or 32-years-old and it will give the club a limited window to make the most of the player. Throw in the fact he also has recurring injury problems that see him miss a few months every season and you are putting all your eggs in a basket that has a hole in it.
MEN Sport understands that the club's current preference is to target a young forward in the summer and this would be wise. Instead of getting the current day Kane, sign the next great striker who is also able to drop deep and link the play.
Tammy Abraham has proven during his spell with AS Roma that he can do this job while Jonathan David has gained plaudits while at Lille for being a dynamic force who is involved in every stage of the attack. Kane is still a fantastic Premier League striker, but a great player doesn't always make a great signing.
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