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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Harry Kane set to follow in David Beckham's footsteps with Man Utd transfer

Harry Kane is set to continue following in David Beckham's illustrious footsteps this summer by joining Manchester United.

Kane's expected switch to United will maintain the remarkable parallels between his career and that of former United superstar Beckham.

Both attended the same school, Chingford Foundation, both played for the same team growing up, Ridgeway Rovers, and both went on to become England captain.

The similarities in their career paths will continue this summer, with Kane set to leave Tottenham for United in a deal worth £80million.

Erik ten Hag has made Kane his top summer transfer target and the striker is understood to be ready to make the switch to Old Trafford to add silverware to his otherwise glittering CV.

Having established himself as Tottenham and England's record goalscorer, Kane – who turns 30 in July - is desperate to win trophies and knows he must move to achieve that.

In assessing what Kane will bring to United and why Ten Hag is so desperate to sign him, the simple answer is goals - 55 for England and 271 for Spurs - shows where Kane's chief strength lies.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit last November, United have lacked a prolific No.9 to lead their attack, with Wout Weghorst brought in on loan to fill the role until the end of the season.

Harry Kane could be set to leave Tottenham (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford has stepped up to score goals for United this season, with 27 to his name already, with just under a third of the campaign left to play.

But Rashford's preferred position is wide left, enabling him to cut inside and drive at defenders, which would leave Kane free to lead United's attack and ease the goal burden on his England colleague.

Yet there is so much more to Kane than goals, in particular his link-up play and his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into the action.

He can score with either foot, is prolific with his head, can drop deep to pick up the ball and has vision and intelligence to match his underrated passing range. Essentially, he is the complete player.

Ten Hag demands a fierce work ethic from his players, which Kane embodies, the skipper filling in at left-back to help out 10-man England hold out for an historic 2-1 win over Italy in Naples last week.

Should Man Utd sign Harry Kane this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Erik ten Hag (Getty Images)

Against that backdrop, United supporters would take to Kane straight away, with no transition or settling-in period likely to be required.

Knowing the likes of Rashford, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho from England duty would make Kane's switch to United as seamless as possible.

Kane and Rashford know each other's games inside out, with Ten Hag convinced their link up at club level could give United one of the most dangerous attacks in Europe, with Antony and Sancho vying for the right flank, with the creativity of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen behind them, underpinned by the security provided by Brazil star Casemiro.

As well as his industry and prowess in front of goal, Kane's professionalism is one of his greatest attributes, with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate an admirer of his discipline and positive influence on those around him in the England set-up.

Kane is the epitome of a modern professional athlete, living a lifestyle that ensures he gets the most from his talent and maximises his chances of success, an approach vindicated by the records he has broken.

But trophies are the one thing to have eluded Kane so far. With United on the up under Ten Hag, who ended their six-year wait for silverware with the Carabao Cup last month, few would bet against Kane adding trophies to his name when – as expected - he pulls on the famous red shirt this summer.

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