What Manchester United staff are now saying about summer failure to sign Harry Kane

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Manchester United go up against Harry Kane this week, and the England striker could end the club’s Champions League hopes once and for all.

‘Operation impossible’ begins at Manchester United this week, with the inconsistent Red Devils facing Bayern Munich and then Liverpool away.

The Bayern game is a ‘must win’ if Manchester United are to reach the Champions League knockout rounds. And even three points is not enough.

United depend on Copenhagen v Galatasaray ending in a draw. Data shows there is just a six per cent chance of this all going the Red Devils’ way – but a chance nonetheless.

Harry Kane was linked to Manchester United

The narrative writes itself that Harry Kane could be the one to kill off Manchester United’s Champions League campaign.

Kane was hotly tipped for a Manchester United move before the transfer window opened in the summer, before The Guardian reported in early June that the team had pulled out of the race.

Various reasons for this were cited, from Kane’s age, salary, dealing with Tottenham’s Daniel Levy, and the club invested in Rasmus Hojlund instead as a long-term option.

So, as we reach December, Kane has netted 18 times in three Bundesliga games, and Hojlund has no Premier League goals.

United are slumped in sixth place in the league, a position which feels pretty generous, and bottom of the Champions League group.

How United feel now

According to The Mail, Manchester United are resolute that the decision was the correct one.

The report states: “United sources insist there are no regrets over their decision.”

Now is not time to judge Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund is the Champions League’s joint-top scorer, with five goals in five games. This is one more than Kane’s four.

This in itself shows there is no major reason to be disconcerted about his lack of Premier League production. He just needs more support around him, and a senior striker to learn from.

Anthony Martial is no use in this regard. The pairing of Kane and Hojlund would have been perfect, but United could not afford to purchase both.

But you can compare all the statistics this season you like, that is not the point United were making in the summer or have to defend now.

The purchase of Hojlund was made that it would stand up favourably to Kane in four to five years time.

United have tried these quick-fixes before, and it hasn’t worked.

The problem is trying a long-term solution at a club where the pressure is intense on a week to week basis, and time waits for nobody.

United do need Hojlund to score more goals, one in the Premier League would be a start. But it is essential the club bring in help in the January transfer window to take the pressure off and allow the 20-year-old to develop at a more natural pace.