Manchester United are regretting their decision to pass on Harry Kane, as Benni McCarthy reveals why the club chose Rasmus Hojlund instead.
Potential Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has shed light on why Manchester United opted against signing England captain Harry Kane in the summer of 2023.
The former Manchester United first-team coach has disclosed that the club deemed the striker’s £100 million price tag too steep, despite Erik ten Hag making him their top transfer target.
McCarthy, who worked under Ten Hag for two years, revealed that the Dutch manager was keen on securing Kane’s services from Tottenham Hotspur.
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However, financial concerns and a focus on youth development saw the club turn their attention to Rasmus Hojlund instead.
“In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our No. 1 target,” McCarthy said exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of Gaffer of all Accas as quoted by Express.
“Kane was the prime target, but obviously the price tag was an issue,” he added.
“Because he would have been leaving Spurs for United, a few extra million pounds were added on to the price tag, which, you know, for a 30-year-old wasn’t seen to be wise.”
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The England striker eventually sealed a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for a deal worth up to £120 million.
Since then, he has continued to prove his goal-scoring prowess, netting a remarkable 73 goals in 75 games. McCarthy admitted that, in hindsight, United might regret not securing Kane’s signature.
“But for £100 million, if you look at it now, you’d say that it would have been well worth it because he’s gone to Bayern and he’s still producing, he’s still scoring. So you think we should have just bitten the bullet and got Harry Kane and then also tried to invest in Rasmus Hojlund. That would have been the best thing for Rasmus if he had had someone like Harry Kane involved.”
The Red Devils instead opted for a long-term approach, bringing in 20-year-old Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72 million.
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Despite showing glimpses of promise, Hojlund has struggled for consistency, scoring 23 goals in 75 appearances for United
“So, yeah, Harry Kane was Erik’s No. 1 target. Erik really wanted him. Kolo Muani was also very high on that list. Victor Osimhen was also on that list. But I felt that if you’re going to want to spend that kind of money – £100 million plus – then you want the complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package,” McCarthy explained.
“But unfortunately, the club didn’t see it that way. They looked at it as Rasmus Hojlund in the long run would be a more prized asset than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane. So we stopped pursuing Kane and we ended up getting just Rasmus.”
Kane, now 31, has been the subject of fresh transfer speculation after reports from Bild revealed a release clause in his Bayern Munich contract.
The clause, which could have been triggered in January for £67 million, will reportedly drop to £54 million in January 2026, reigniting interest from Premier League clubs, including Manchester United.
United’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be eager to rectify the club’s earlier decision by making a renewed move for Kane.
Tottenham Hotspur who hold first refusal could also be involved in the transfer battle for their former talisman.
