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Football

23rd Aug 2021

Gary Neville questions why Man Utd aren’t signing Harry Kane

Charlie Herbert

“I’m struggling to understand why Manchester United aren’t going that extra step this transfer window.”

Harry Kane continues to be linked with a big move to Manchester before the close of the transfer window, but Gary Neville has questioned why United – not City – are not doing all within their power to add him to their squad.

It’s fair to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looked blunt in going forward as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday. Anthony Martial in particular had a forgettable 60 mins, and coupled with the fact that Edinson Cavani is hardly a long-term option for the Red Devils, Neville, speaking on Sky’s Monday Night Football, wondered why United were not doing more to sign Harry Kane.

Asked if the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane would be enough for United to mount a serious challenge, Neville said: “My feeling is no. I think they’ll still be short.

“Chelsea have got Lukaku, Van Dijk is back for Liverpool and we know City have got Grealish and are in for Kane.

“If they get Kane, I think there’s a massive problem for United. I’m struggling to understand why Manchester United aren’t going that extra step this transfer window.

“Sancho for £70-odd million was last year’s money. Manchester United have always gone after the best player in the Premier League, the best English player. Martial, James, Lingard… you’re talking about offloading a lot of wages there, potentially getting some some transfer fees in. Why are they not going in for Harry Kane?

“I think if Kane came to United, you could get up to 90-95 points. Without him, they’re still going to have to replace Cavani and Martial next summer. Martial’s not going to do it, Cavani’s got one year left. They’re going to have to buy a centre forward at some point, why not get the man now and give Ole that impetus.”

Neville also pointed out the similarity between Solskjaer’s first three years in charge of United and Klopp’s first three years at Liverpool.

Ole has an identical record to Klopp’s after three years at Liverpool. But Neville highlighted that it was in the German’s fourth year at the Reds that his side really flourished, with the big-name signings of Van Dijk and Alison proving crucial.

It seems that if Kane is going anywhere this summer, it’s City. But if the Tottenham man stays put, then surely other clubs will be eyeing him up next summer. It would be a surprise if United weren’t among those sides….

Related links:

Man City prepare new record bid for Harry Kane

Gary Neville issues warning to Harry Kane over missing Spurs training