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GOAL's World-Class Club: Hampton usurps Earps in 2025

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<ul><li>Red Devils were linked with England captain</li><li>Unable to do a deal with Premier League rivals</li><li>Are still in the hunt for a proven goalscorer</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Pay £120m!' - Man Utd told by former manager they made Harry Kane transfer mistake as Red Devils need a star striker to 'paper over cracks'

<p>The Red Devils were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-utd-harry-kane-transfer-approach-spurs-lower-100m-asking-price/blt2794a35b85e80959" target="_blank">linked with England captain across several windows</a>, with their search for a reliable No.9 having dragged on for some time. They were unable to prise Kane away from Premier League rivals Tottenham.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The prolific frontman eventually left north London for Bayern Munich in 2023 and has gone on to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-nfl-goat-tom-brady-inspired-harry-kane-trophy-quest-bayern-munich-striker-breaking-silverware-curse-mindset-super-bowl-winner/blt91ef070914167bb5" target="_blank">break his trophy curse in Germany, becoming a Bundesliga title winner</a>. United remain in the market for a proven goalscorer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Ron Atkinson is of the opinion that they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/completely-different-animal-man-utd-told-why-spend-120m-harry-kane-instead-viktor-gyokeres-sporting/blt6fa5cefa0cb8f880" target="_blank">should have paid above and beyond what Spurs were demanding</a> when entering into talks there, with the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-blasted-not-signing-guarantee-harry-kane-club-legend-rasmus-hojlund-cant-afford-wait-must-sign-new-striker-summer-transfer-window/blt40f8eace8207f07f" target="_blank">opportunity being passed up to solve a long-standing problem</a> at Old Trafford.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Former Red Devils boss Atkinson has told <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/08/03/big-ron-atkinson-saw-on-facebook-i-was-dead-manchester-utd/ " target="_blank"><em>The Telegraph</em></a>: "What would I do if I were in charge there? Well, they could have resolved a lot of stuff by signing a decent striker. They paper over so many cracks. I’d have got Harry Kane. I know they say [Spurs chairman Daniel] Levy wanted £100m for him. OK, so pay £120m. With him up front, the midfield would have known who to pass to, the defence would have played better. Goalscorers make everything better."</p>

WHAT ATKINSON SAID

<p>Having seen Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggle to produce a spark in 2024-25, United are now being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-show-evidence-benjamin-sesko-summer-transfer-plans-ramp-up-pursuit/blt1495094d8179b067" target="_blank">linked with a big-money raid on RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko</a> - having already missed out on the likes of Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

'Pay £120m!' - Man Utd told by former manager they made Harry Kane transfer mistake as Red Devils need a star striker to 'paper over cracks' | Goal.com

Manchester United have been told they made a £120m ($159m) mistake not buying Harry Kane, with a star striker still needed to &quot;paper over cracks&quot;.

&apos;Pay £120m!&apos; - Man Utd told by former manager they made Harry Kane transfer mistake as Red Devils need a star striker to &apos;paper over cracks&apos;