27 April 2023 , 21:55
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Rio Ferdinand thinks Manchester United should have been using Thursday night's game at Tottenham to negotiate a transfer for Harry Kane.
In what proved an exciting affair in North London, Kane - currently linked to a move to United this summer - was innocuous as the visitors took a 2-0 lead. Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put Erik ten Hag's men in control, with the home fans booing at half time as the gloom from their harrowing defeat at Newcastle showed little sign of lifting.
But Spurs stormed back after the break, with England's captain central to the momentum shift. His blocked shot in a goalmouth scramble led to Pedro Porro sweeping in the loose ball, before a perfectly timed pass across a goal set up Son Heung-Min to level matters.
But whilst his commitment in a white shirt remains all too apparent, the transfer saga will only intensify if Spurs finish outside the Champions League places. Tonight's result leaves them six points off fourth placed United, having played two more games.
And speaking on BT Sport before the game, Ferdinand insisted that United chiefs shouldn't waste their visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: "If there aren’t conversations going on in the corridors of power at Manchester United here and Mr Daniel Levy here about this man (Kane), I’d be very surprised," he said.
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"That’s why I’m saying set it up now before the season even finishes. You look at the situation of Spurs, we spent how long on this programme so far talking about Spurs and how much turmoil they’re in here? Man United have got to be looking at that and thinking get it done now."
(@btsportfootball/Twitter)United are reportedly willing to pay £80 million for Kane, whose current contract expires at the end of 2024. If Daniel Levy were to dig his heels in, that ploy would signify a huge risk with his key man able to walk away for free at the end of next season.
Ten Hag is hell bent on improving his reinforcements up front, with Wout Weghorst failing to impress amid his loan move from Burnley. However, the Old Trafford club have also signalled intent to walk away from any Kane deal if it means avoiding a drawn out saga.
Levy is now under intense pressure to get his next managerial appointment right and fuel Kane's desire to finally win major trophies with his boyhood club. Julian Nagelsmann is now the favourite to be appointed, having withdrawn from talks with Chelsea.