Wayne Rooney urges Manchester United to sign ‘the very best’ striker in Harry Kane to fill biggest squad need

Kane has six goals and six assists already this season but United have focussed their efforts so far on Borussia Dortmund forward Sancho

Kane has been long linked with United (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says his old club should abandon their pursuit of Jadon Sancho and instead focus on bringing in Harry Kane.

The Old Trafford club have been involved in a very public, and so far unsuccessful, chase of the Borussia Dortmund wide forward all summer long, with BVB adamant Sancho will be staying after United failed to submit an acceptable bid before the German club’s imposed deadline.

Writing in his Times column, Rooney explains that while the Bundesliga star is clearly of the standard required, he doesn’t fit the greatest need that his former side have and they should instead be focusing on the national team captain Kane.

“Jadon Sancho is a top player, but I find it odd that he has been Manchester United’s transfer priority,” he said.

"Why consider paying close to £100 million for someone similar to talent you’ve got already?

“United have Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial and where would Sancho’s arrival leave Mason Greenwood, who plays in the same position and is of similar age? I’d rather put that £100million towards trying to get Harry Kane.”

Rooney acknowledges that it would be a tough task to sign Kane too, but points out that they hesitated on signing an elite-level centre-forward earlier in the year and it has clearly proven costly.

Additionally, the Derby County player-coach feels that United’s more versatile attackers would benefit greatly from having a focal point at the top of the attack, letting them thrive in spaces around and behind the striker.

"Yes, getting Kane out of Tottenham would be difficult, maybe impossible, but United are a club who should always make an effort to sign the very best players and Kane is exactly what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs, as is Erling Haaland, who United missed out on last year — a genuine No. 9.

“A Kane or Haaland or someone like Robert Lewandowski would give Rashford and Martial someone to play off and freedom to roam into different areas, pick the ball up and try to beat men — without the burden of always having to score.”