Manchester United’s pursuit of a new striker in the summer of 2023 was far more extensive than previously known, with the club targeting some of Europe’s most prolific forwards before settling on Rasmus Hojlund. This revelation comes from former United coach Benni McCarthy, who has shed light on the Red Devils’ transfer strategy under then-manager Erik ten Hag.
In an exclusive interview with Ladbrokes at the launch of Gaffer of all Accas, McCarthy disclosed that Harry Kane, Randal Kolo Muani, and Victor Osimhen were all on United’s radar before the club opted to sign Hojlund from Atalanta for £72 million.
“Harry Kane was our No. 1 target,” McCarthy revealed. “Erik [ten Hag] really wanted him, but the price tag was an issue. Spurs added a few extra million pounds because he was moving to a direct rival. At £100 million, it would have been worth it—just look at what he’s doing at Bayern Munich now. But the club decided to focus on Rasmus Hojlund as a long-term investment instead.”
Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in 2023, has since been in sensational form, scoring 73 goals in 75 appearances for the German giants. Meanwhile, Osimhen moved to Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, netting 19 times in 24 games, and Kolo Muani made waves with PSG before securing a January transfer to Juventus.
McCarthy expressed his belief that United missed an opportunity by not pairing Hojlund with an experienced striker like Kane. “If we had signed Kane and also invested in Hojlund, it would have been ideal for Rasmus’ development. Kane’s experience and quality would have been invaluable,” he said.
The former coach also highlighted Kolo Muani as a player who could have been a perfect fit for United. “Muani is only 26 but has vast experience, including playing in a World Cup final. He’s hardworking, knows where the goal is, and has the right mentality. He would have been an ideal signing,” McCarthy added.
Hojlund, now 22, arrived at Old Trafford with high expectations after a modest season in Serie A, where he scored nine league goals in 32 matches. While he managed 16 goals in all competitions during his debut campaign, his current season has been underwhelming, with just two league goals to his name.
McCarthy’s insights offer a fascinating glimpse into United’s transfer deliberations and the challenges of balancing immediate success with long-term planning. As Hojlund continues to adapt to the Premier League, the debate over whether United made the right call in prioritizing potential over proven talent is likely to persist.
For now, the Red Devils must hope that Hojlund can fulfill his promise and justify the faith placed in him, while fans are left to wonder what might have been had Kane, Osimhen, or Kolo Muani been leading the line at Old Trafford.
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