Man Utd have already signed six Harry Kane alternatives

Man Utd boss Ten Hag jokes with reporter about ‘bouncing back’

Manchester United will face off against Tottenham on Thursday night with Harry Kane very much a man in the spotlight. Erik ten Hag is eager to land the England international this summer as he looks to bring the Premier League title back to Old Trafford. And, if he strikes gold, it will bring an end to a pursuit that has lasted nearly eight years…

Manchester United have wanted Kane ever since the 2014/2015 season.

The Tottenham striker was unplayable that campaign, netting a stunning 31 goals from 51 appearances across all competitions.

Louis van Gaal then probed a deal for Kane, believing the youngster would be the perfect player to replace the likes of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, with Wayne Rooney also on the wane.

But United missed out that year and while they’ve eyed the Tottenham striker ever since, they’ve stopped short of a full-blown pursuit.

Express Sport now takes a look at the six alternatives United have signed ever since missing out on Kane in 2015 and how they’ve all fared at Old Trafford.

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Anthony Martial

United knew they needed a striker back in 2015.

Falcao had returned to Monaco after his dire loan spell, while Van Persie was shown the door after starting to regress.

United looked at Kane and were keen to sign the Tottenham star, but Spurs were never going to let their talented youngster go.

They then opted to sign Anthony Martial instead, with the forward arriving from Monaco on transfer deadline day in a deal worth £36million.

Martial has had some good moments, with his 23 goals in the 2019/2020 campaign the best of his career.

But he’s been plagued by injuries and inconsistency – meaning it’s no wonder Ten Hag is eyeing a deal for Kane behind the scenes.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Van Gaal was sacked in 2016, despite winning the FA Cup, with Jose Mourinho brought in as a replacement.

And the Portuguese then opted to reunite with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having previously managed the mercurial Sweden international at Inter Milan.

Many were unsure what to expect from Ibrahimovic when he moved to England.

But the veteran, who is still going strong at AC Milan, was an undisputed Old Trafford hit during his short stint at Old Trafford.

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in the 2016/2017 campaign, propelling the club to EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs, but then left for LA Galaxy after struggling to recover from injury.

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Romelu Lukaku

In 2017, United signed yet another striker.

Though Ibrahimovic had done well, a serious knee injury sustained by the forward led to concerns over whether he’d return the same player.

United then splurged a massive £75million on Romelu Lukaku, who had impressed during his time at Everton.

The Belgium international did well enough at first, scoring 27 goals across all competitions during his first year in Manchester.

But he’d go off the boil and would later by sold to Inter Milan by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer of 2019.

Edinson Cavani

United did eye Kane in 2020 but Tottenham, once again, made it clear their star man wasn’t for sale.

Jadon Sancho was actually their preferred transfer target that year, having dazzled for Borussia Dortmund, but the forward would remain at the Westfalenstadion for another 12 months.

Solskjaer then opted to change tact, bringing Edinson Cavani in on a free transfer following his release from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Uruguay international helped the club finish second in the league with 17 goals across all competitions.

But Cavani struggled for game time and fitness last season and was allowed to join Valencia for nothing.

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Cristiano Ronaldo

When United re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021, after 12 years away, it was a major statement of intent.

Football’s best goalscorer was coming home to end the post Sir Alex Ferguson rut, with many believing his move was the ticket to Premier League title glory.

Ronaldo did produce last term, netting 24 goals across all competitions.

But many of his United team-mates cowered in his presence and while they’d previously made progress under Solskjaer, Ronaldo’s Hollywood homecoming would prove to be the Norwegian’s undoing.

Ten Hag showed the 38-year-old the door back in November, shortly after the Portugal international gave a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan.

Wout Weghorst

In a dream world, United would have signed Kane in January.

But that was never going to happen, for both sporting and financial reasons, with funds in short supply.

So, as an alternative to tide them over until the summer, Wout Weghorst was brought in on loan from Burnley.

The Netherlands international endears fans with his work rate, with the forward always willing to bust a gut for the sake of the team.

Yet when it comes to scoring goals Weghorst has disappointed, finding the net just twice during his time at Old Trafford so far.

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