Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United tried to sign Harry Kane last summer.
United were in the market to bring in a new centre forward ahead of this season and Ten Hag wanted Kane, who notched a career-best 30 Premier League goals for Tottenham last term. However, the England captain went on to sign for Bayern Munich in a deal worth around £86.4million.
The Red Devils instead secured the services of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, with the Denmark international scoring 14 goals in 38 appearances since his move. Question marks were raised when United signed Hojlund, 21, for £64m plus add-ons, but he has showed potential of becoming a world class striker.
"We have had some choices made with talents like Rasmus Hojlund," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "I can see a striker who already proved it, who we wanted to sign and we couldn't get him. And then we went to Rasmus because he's a talent."
When asked if he meant Kane, Ten Hag continued: "Yes, and you know Harry Kane will get you 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there, but he needs time. It's not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare two players because they are very different.
"But with Hojlund, I think we had the biggest potential in the striker position last summer and we are very happy with him. But he also needs time to adapt and we are very pleased he showed his assets in scoring goals.
"He had a very good period where he scored many games after he showed it, but before and after, he had some physical issues, which is normal for a young player coming up. But it has a negative impact on the team result and that's what you have to accept."
Ten Hag also appeared to aim a thinly-veiled dig at fans over the criticism of his players. He added: "Then you go back to the fans and the opinion makers, and they don't understand or they don't want to understand this. It is how Man United gets judged, they only see the result, but we need time.
"You have to accept the process is going slower and you can't then expect to straight [away] compete for titles in the Champions League and Premier League."
United have endured a disappointing season and are at risk of matching their lowest-ever Premier League finish of seventh. The Red Devils sit sixth, six points behind fifth-place Tottenham and one point ahead of seventh-place Newcastle.
As well as that, United encountered a humiliating group-stage exit in the Champions League and crashed out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round. The Red Devils could still still end the campaign with a major trophy, however, and face Manchester City in the FA Cup final later this month.
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