Reports suggest that Manchester United’s failure to secure Declan Rice and Harry Kane last summer left the team disheartened.
Despite strong links, Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham, and Kane transferred to Bayern Munich from Tottenham, both enjoying successful seasons with their new clubs.
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Erik ten Hag, who remains at United amid speculation, had advocated for Kane’s signing, but the club deemed negotiations with Tottenham too complex and the player overpriced.
Instead, United signed Rasmus Hojlund, who had a less impressive season.
The Athletic reports that United players had high hopes for Kane’s arrival, believing he could elevate the team after finishing third.
They also supported Ten Hag’s pursuit of Rice, but Arsenal had advanced in talks by the time United reached out.
Ten Hag’s interest in Rice resurfaced a year later, only to see him join Arsenal. He also considered moves for PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani and Frenkie de Jong but did not proceed.
Teddy Sheringham criticized United’s lack of ambition for not signing Rice and Kane.
‘I said at the start of the season, it was a damning lack of ambition for a club of Manchester United’s size not to be in the hunt for Harry Kane and Declan Rice,’ he told Genting Casino.
‘In the old days, Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] would have snapped both of those players up. These are two top, top players at Premier League and international level.
‘Fergie would have been in for both of them. You’re not just getting the player with Kane and Rice, you’re getting the professionalism, the winning mentality, you’re getting leadership.
‘These guys drag players along with them and set your standards. There isn’t a single player doing that at Manchester United at the moment.
‘Everyone is looking at each other and saying, “I’m doing my job, what about you?” and that’s not you need if you want to win titles.
‘Leaders don’t do that. Even if they’re not having a great game, they have the presence and the talent to lift everyone else around them.
‘They get you through games and you pick up results in matches where you weren’t necessarily the best team because of the leadership qualities your experienced players demonstrate.
‘When those two players weren’t even on the radar for Manchester United, it’s was a wake-up call. Wow! How times have changed at the football club.’
Despite recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish last campaign, United decided to stick with Ten Hag, who produced an upset in the FA Cup final to secure his second trophy since moving to England in 2022.
