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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Erik ten Hag has already told Harry Kane what he wants at Manchester United

Manchester United want to sign Harry Kane when the market reopens and it goes without saying what the England captain would predominantly bring this evolving team - goals.

But his prospective summer arrival at Old Trafford would add so much more. Numbers alone fail to paint the whole picture when it comes to Kane and the attributes Erik ten Hag demands.

In the last two months, the England captain has become the all-time record scorer for club and country and he very much has Alan Shearer in his sights with regards to the Premier League record tally; with just 56 more goals for him to match the retired Newcastle favourite.

READ MORE: Neville pinpoints glaring United problem

Having allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to leave mid-season under controversial circumstances, United took their time in settling on his long-term replacement. Kane will, all being well, be that man as on-loan addition Wout Weghorst prepares to step aside when his deal ends.

Albeit not at the same level, Weghorst is a similar type to Kane in that he presses high, while also being able to drop into deeper positions to link up the play. However, with only two goals in 19 appearances so far - and none in the Premier League - his finishing is clearly not up to scratch.

But his January arrival was, seemingly, a hint at what Ten Hag wants from Kane going forward on the proviso United do the unthinkable and get one up on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in the transfer market. It might be easier said than done!

Speaking about Weghorst after signing his compatriot on loan, Ten Hag said: "In the balance of our offensive [players] he really fits in. I'm really happy, and I don't think we had the type what he is.

"He can score goals from everywhere and he was always a surprise at every club, in every league. From here, I expect a team player and someone who can link up, a player who will do his defending work and we are really happy to sign him."

Wout Weghorst has yet to score in the Premier League for Manchester United. (AMA/Getty Images)

When going on to address Weghorst and his struggles to regularly find the net, Ten Hag continued: "He's the one who makes other players around him play better.

"As a team we have to work better to anticipate his movements, because his movements are good and a lot of times he was close [to scoring]. He had many good actions and, already, a lot of good contributions to our results. He will score [goals], but in the meantime he will do other stuff and do it good."

Kane would offer all that and, most importantly, go goals galore to help ease the burden on Marcus Rashford from next season. Ten Hag has made it pretty clear what he expects.

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