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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Nathan Bliss

Manchester United's 2019/20 season predicted if they signed Harry Kane

It's fair to say that Manchester United's 2019/20 season hasn't got off to the best of starts, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sitting in 14th place in the Premier League after earning 10 points from nine matches, including three defeats.

United's main problem has been their lack of goals, which is not something normally associated with the club, with the Red Devils scoring just 10 goals in nine games so far, less than Aston Villa, Wolves, Burnley and West Ham.

But, former United midfielder Roy Keane thinks there is a player who could be the solution to their issues, and was speaking as part of the Sky Sports post-match reaction, after United's 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

"Go and get Kane from Spurs," Keane explained.

"Just go and get him. What are you all staring at? He scores 20 goals in a season with his eyes shut. Go and get him."

So, with Kane in the side, how would Manchester United perform? And, how many goals would he score in this United side?

We used Football Manager 2019 to have a bit of fun and try and predict how United would perform with Kane in the side this season.

Harry Kane to Manchester United

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

To set up the simulation, we inputted a future transfer of £100million in August 2019, which saw Harry Kane move from Tottenham to Manchester United.

This is Harry Kane's profile in Football Manager 2019.

(Football Manager 2019)

Using a fan made editor file, we also updated all the latest transfers, manager changes, promotions and relegations, to make it as realistic as possible, including the likes of Harry Maguire, Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

So how much difference would Kane's arrival make to United's performance in the 2019/20 season?

Here's what happened....

Harry Kane's individual performance for Manchester United in 2019/20

Kane had a tremendous season at United in 2019/20.

(Football Manager 2019)

The England striker scored an impressive 36 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions, including 25 Premier League goals and seven goals in European competitions.

His 25 Premier League goals made him the league's top goal scorer overall, beating Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the award.

(Football Manager 2019)

He also had the best minutes to goal ratio in the league, by quite a large distance.

(Football Manager 2019)

Kane was also the highest rated player in the division, having the highest average rating over the course of the season, winning the Premier League player of the year award.

(Football Manager 2019)

Manchester United's top performing players in 2019/20

Here is a list of United's top goalscorers in 2019/20.

(Football Manager 2019)

Kane was far and away the top scorer at the club, ahead of Martial, Fred, Mata, Pogba and Lingard.

Unfortunately, Rashford got injured for the season, but Kane was able to take advantage.

Manchester United's best XI in 2019/20

This is United's best rated XI in 2019/20.

(Football Manager 2019)

Get all the latest FIFA, Football Manager and other gaming news here.

Manchester United's 2018/19 league position: 6th

Manchester United's 2019/20 league position: 2nd

(Football Manager 2019)

Kane's arrival made United immediate Premier League title challengers, eventually finishing second behind Manchester City, just nine points behind their local rivals, winning 80 points.

To put that into context, United won a total of 66 points in 2018/19, which represents a 24 point improvement, which is a remarkable result.

Manchester United's trophy wins in 2019/20

United also won a trophy with Kane in the side.

(Football Manager 2019)

Solskjaer's side beat Stoke City in the final, with Fred, Pogba and Greenwood on the scoresheet.

According to Football Manager 2019, if Manchester United were able to sign Kane, regardless of the price, it would make them immediate title challengers.

Where do you think United would finish with Kane in their side?

 
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