When Manchester United took on Tottenham at the weekend there was only one true superstar on the pitch.
With a possible exception of strike partner Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo was a class apart.
He certainly outclassed Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who produced a limp performance to make a mockery of the price tag the North London side saddled him with in the summer.
The Telegraph reported in May that Tottenham were looking for £150 million for Kane, even going as far as to proclaim he was ‘worth every penny’.
This proved too expensive even for City, and Kane’s form has tanked since.
Against United he barely looked like a £15 million striker, failing to register a shot on target.
United sat the Kane chase out
.Kane has continually been linked with United through the years, going right back to 2015.
Naturally United were linked in the summer, a potential move pushed by Gary Neville right up to the end of the transfer window.
Back on August 24, Neville told Sky Sports: “Why are they not going for Harry Kane this week? Because I believe that if Harry Kane entered Manchester United you could get up to 90 to 95 points. Manchester United are going to need a new centre-forward in the next 12 months, the guy is available now if you pay £150m.”
Days later United made a move for a striker, signing Cristiano Ronaldo for just £12 million, a true bargain, and ignored Neville’s suggestion.
While at 36, Ronaldo may have a shorter career left than Kane, it is not guaranteed.
Ronaldo has signed a three-year deal, and it would be no surprise if he continued into his 40s.
Kane has been hit by ankle injuries in recent seasons and it is quite possible his best days are behind him. He’s playing like it at the moment.
Considering the difference in price between Kane and Ronaldo, United made the more sensible option, and landed the superior player.
It is not usual United will be praised for taking a cheaper deal, but the Kane asking price was stupidly high. His performance at the weekend showed how ridiculous it was.
Ronaldo meanwhile was a special case, for a special player.
Kane has just one Premier League goal in nine appearances this season, while Ronaldo has four in seven – plus three Champions League goals.
This is a low moment of Kane’s career, and he is doing little to persuade anybody that he is worth £150 million. He was booed by his own fans at the weekend, deservedly so.
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