How Man Utd could line up with Harry Kane as Erik ten Hag ‘makes Tottenham star No1 summer transfer target’
HARRY KANE is said to be Erik ten Hag’s No1 summer transfer target at Manchester United.
The Old Trafford boss will prioritise a new centre forward at the end of the season.
A striker was on the wish list last year but the club stuck with Cristiano Ronaldo while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial can fill in up top – although both are better suited out wide.
Wout Weghort arrived this month on loan until June but is very much a short-term gap filler.
And reports suggest Ten Hag will go all out to land Tottenham and England sensation Kane.
The Three Lions skipper equalled Jimmy Greaves’ Spurs tally of 266 goals for the North London side with the winner at Fulham.
And despite suggestions he may make a U-turn and sign a new contract at the £1billion stadium, Red Devils fans will be hoping the next deal he puts his signature on will be at the Theatre of Dreams.
But how would United line up with Kane in the side next season should he make the switch to the north-west?
The obvious selection would be to see Kane play up front on his own in Ten Hag’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
He would operate as the lone central striker supported by three attack-minded players – such as Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Antony.
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Martial and Jadon Sancho could also fill the wide slots in a rotated line-up.
Behind the front four would be Casemiro with Christian Eriksen as the first choice ahead of Scott McTominay and Fred.
And Ten Hag’s favoured back four may well be Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw with David De Gea in goal.
An alternative option, albeit unlikely, may see Kane deployed up front alongside Rashford in a two-up-top system, changing the shape slightly.
United have been linked with plenty of transfers in the summer – and should they land some, they could also slot into the side.
Declan Rice could replace Eriksen in midfield, Marco Reus may join the attack, Dean Henderson could finally claim the No1 spot in goal and the addition of Dutch defenders Jurrien Timber and Denzel Dumfries could prompt a shock change of shape to a back five.