Erik ten Hag has already found his 2023 Frenkie de Jong for this summer’s transfer window

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Manchester United spent the summer of 2022 chasing Frenkie de Jong. Is history set to repeat itself in 2023 with Harry Kane?

Manchester United’s first summer under Erik ten Hag was not a smooth one. Deals for Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Antony were all overshadowed and delayed by a protracted and failed move for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.

United’s pursuit of the Netherlands international began in late May. By early July, a deal was in place with Barcelona, but it took until August for United to walk away, after the midfielder had flown to the US on pre-season tour with the Spanish side, determined to stay put.

The club invested a lot of time and resources into trying to get the deal done, with CEO Richard Arnold and technical director John Murtough flying to Barcelona to negotiate.

The thinking behind it was clear. United wanted to do everything possible to deliver new boss Erik ten Hag his first choice of target. The club just spent a little too long on it, before finally taking ‘no’ for an answer.

So is history set to repeat itself in 2023, or have lessons been learned? We are about to find out.

Erik ten Hag wants Harry Kane at Manchester United

Manchester United face a decision whether to invest a lot of time chasing Harry Kane, a player The Guardian report Erik ten Hag is obsessed with.

Already there appear to be split views internally at Manchester United. Erik ten Hag is driving it, and as always, United will be keen to back him – even if there is a view it may not be wise.

The Athletic report: “United executives have privately expressed reluctance to get drawn into a prolonged negotiation,” over the Tottenham striker, with Daniel Levy expected to fight hard to keep the England international.

However, the report adds: “Ten Hag is said to feel United do have a genuine chance of signing Kane though, hence the manager’s desire for football director John Murtough to at least test Levy’s resolve.”

The scene is set for another saga, with United on the cusp of getting drawn into another long transfer pursuit, at the behest of Ten Hag.

If it all works out, it will be worthwhile. And last summer, United were organised or fortuitous enough to turn to Casemiro as an arguably superior fall-back option.

Top strikers are a little harder to come by. United will have a list of alternatives, but can’t leave it as late as last year.

Casemiro did not make his Manchester United debut until late August, by which time the club had lost two of the three opening Premier League games.

United cannot let this summer’s saga drag out as long.