Robbie Savage has been left scratching his head after asking if Manchester United were “priced out of the market” over the signing of a “proven quality” star.
Erik ten Hag has continued the overhaul of his United squad this summer and the club’s war chest has funded close to £200m worth of signings so far.
Andre Onana arrived from Inter Milan after David de Gea’s departure from Old Trafford, while United paid a hefty £55m fee to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea.
Ten Hag also added a much-needed striking option in Rasmus Hojlund, who was snapped up from Serie A side Atalanta for a hefty £72m transfer fee.
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Savage questions United’s position on Kane
Hojlund has not made his United debut due to injury, with Ten Hag left to deploy Marcus Rashford down the middle for his side’s first two Premier League matches.
Harry Kane was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford before completing an £86m transfer, which could rise to £100m through add-ons, to Bayern Munich.
Savage remains unsure why United took the “punt” on Hojlund instead of making a move for Kane this summer.
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He wrote for The Daily Mirror: “If the aim was to close the gap on Manchester City this season, why have City signed Josko Gvardiol — one of the world’s best defenders — while United are reportedly close to handing a one-year contract to 35-year-old Jonny Evans for a second stint at Old Trafford?
“Don’t get me wrong: Evans has had a fine career spanning around 500 games, but re-signing him would be just a stop-gap.
“Why have United taken a £72million punt on Rasmus Hojlund’s potential when proven quality Harry Kane was available?
“Were they priced out of the market for Kane? Did they speak to his representatives?”
Ten Hag sees ‘huge potential’ in Hojlund
Ten Hag provided an update on Hojlund ahead of Saturday’s Nottingham Forest clash and revealed that the star signing had ‘trained properly’ for the first time.
Hojlund, who arrived at United nursing an injury, made 42 appearances across all competitions last season and scored 16 times for Atalanta.
Ten Hag has insisted that the 20-year-old Denmark striker has “huge potential,” but he added that Hojlund has to “prove” it for himself at United.
“I think he has such a huge potential and now it is up first to him to explore that and we will support him — all the coaches,” he told United’s official website.
“l’m sure the whole team was waiting for a type like him and they will integrate and in the dressing room or on the pitch they will help him.
“But as I said, finally the player — he has to prove it.”