Manchester United were linked to pretty much every available player under the sun last summer, but only a few came to fruition.
It was Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Altay Bayindir who Erik ten Hag made a part of his 16 signings thus far at the club, with a few loan moves also thrown in the mix.
But there could have been so many more. As always, United were linked to any player even speculated to move – but some did look more likely than others.
One will go down as ‘the one that got away’ from that summer, and potentially summers passed. He epitomises everything that a Manchester United striker should be. That man is Harry Kane.
Harry Kane’s ridiculous season at Bayern Munich
Harry Kane’s first season at Bayern Munich has concluded, and as expected, he scored goals. Imagine our shock.
The England captain bagged himself a simply ludicrous 44 goals in 45 games, cementing himself as the top goalscorer across Europe, gifting him the Golden Shoe award, with Manchester United linked Serhou Guirassy finishing second even ahead of Kylian Mbappe.
But Kane’s goal numbers were not just phenomenal, they were out of this world. No Bundesliga player over the last seven seasons has ever scored at a higher rate than his 36 goals in 32 league matches. Not even Robert Lewandowski or Erling Haaland.
Had United obtained his services, there is no doubt in our minds that the Premier League position would have been far better, and other competitions would have seen more success.
Alas, Hojlund was the only striker bought, who has been fantastic – but having an experienced figure like Kane to rotate alongside would have been the difference.
Alas, it never came about, and Kane has surpassed his ridiculously high standards in the Bundesliga instead. However, did he really achieve what he set out for?
Harry Kane still finished trophyless, Manchester United didn’t
Despite the remarkable individual success of Bayern’s £100m club record signing, Kane’s trophy count still remains at zero, with Thomas Tuchel’s side failing to win silverware for the first time since 2012.
Manchester United, on the other hand, despite their arguably worst season ever, did. Ten Hag triumphed in the FA Cup Final against Manchester City meant they ended the campaign on a high.
Had Kane joined the Red Devils, in theory, he’d be ending his season better off. We’re not saying he made the wrong choice by any stretch, but it’s an interesting thought to ponder considering the reason he left Tottenham Hotspur in the first place.
Kane now jets off to Euro 2024 with England, looking for international glory, but if Gareth Southgate’s men don’t prevail in Germany – the 30-year-old is back to square one.
Is he genuinely cursed? The future holds the answer. Sadly, the answer won’t be found at Old Trafford for Harry Kane.