Harry Kane strolled out of the tunnel at Old Trafford alone on Monday night and breathed in the cool Manchester air. This could have been home. This could have been his club.
Instead, Kane was dressed in the peculiar all-white training kit of Bayern Munich when he emerged to join his team-mates in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Manchester United.
What would United give for Kane’s 22 goals and seven assists this season? Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel smiled when the question was put to him on Friday.
‘Every fan would wish for Harry Kane in their team,’ he said. ‘That’s why we are very proud we managed to seduce him and steal him from the Premier League and English football. The skipper of your national team, a big personality and big player. He’s a role model.
‘We are super-happy. We couldn’t be more happy that he’s with us. He gives us a lot of confidence and, of course, a lot of goals. He will play tomorrow and I know he will be happy to be here.’
Harry Kane takes on Manchester United on Tuesday but Old Trafford could have been his home
The striker was Erik ten Hag’s top summer target – and United were the striker’s first-choice club – but the deal was too difficult to get done ahead of his £100m move to Bayern Munich
United could have signed Kane when he left Tottenham in the summer. He was Erik ten Hag’s No1 transfer target and United were Kane’s first-choice club.
But the deal was too difficult to get over the line due to the £120million transfer fee, Kane’s £500,000-a-week wages and the complexities of haggling with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Instead, Kane went to Bavaria where he has set Bayern alight. United turned to Rasmus Hojlund and the Danish youngster is the joint top scorer in the Champions League, outscoring Kane 5-4.
But like so much with United right now, the facts do not tell the full story. Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League, while Kane has 18 goals in the Bundesliga.
He has done exactly what Ten Hag hoped he would do at United — contributed goals from day one, set them up for his team-mates and provided the leadership you would expect from an England captain. Imagine where United would be right now if Kane was leading their line.
Hojlund was signed for his potential and has shown enough of it so far. He is one for the future. But managers live in the here and now and…