Erik ten Hag has explained what Manchester United must stop Harry Kane from doing in the Red Devils' Premier League clash against Tottenham on Thursday evening. Kane netted his 24th Premier League goal of the season in the 6-1 drubbing to Newcastle which placed him just one goal shy of Wayne Rooney's tally of 207 strikes in England's top flight.
For the second summer in three seasons, Kane is facing a decisive crossroads in his Tottenham career with another permanent manager needing to be appointed at the end of the season. The 29-year-old pushed for a departure after Jose Mourinho was dismissed in 2019, but ultimately he remained at the club, however his loyalties look set to be tested once again.
Man United are one of the teams who may make a move for Kane with Chelsea and Bayern Munich as other options. The expected arrival of Mauricio Pochettino at the Blues could see them turn to Kane to solve their major attacking woes. While Thomas Tuchel, who wanted to sign Kane during his tenure at Chelsea, could look to sign him this summer at Bayern, with chairman Daniel Levy far more likely to sell his star asset to a team that isn't a direct domestic rival.
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While Ten Hag will likely make some enquiries over Kane in the summer window, his immediate priority is ensuring his team stop Kane on Thursday and take home three points to strengthen their grip on a Champions League qualification spot.
In the reverse fixture, United successfully stopped Kane from impacting the game but that was with the first-choice centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. However, the duo have been ruled out of Thursday's game through injury, with Bruno Fernandes also a major doubt.
Nonetheless, United's Dutch tactician has come up with a plan to stop Kane, telling his players exactly what they must prevent the England captain from doing.
"It's quite clear his impact on the game from Spurs," Ten Hag said when asked about Kane. "We have a plan of course for that... you have to defend him as a team. He's a clever player, so don't allow him to come into situations. He can have a big impact on the game."
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