Manchester United might not be in a Premier League title race this season, but they are certainly very close. Erik ten Hag's side face the latest test of their credentials when they travel to face Arsenal, and their long-term hopes of winning the title could well rely on one man from North London.
United have shown huge signs of progress under their new manager this season, though there is obviously a lot of work left to be done, regardless of what happens against the Gunners.
The biggest task next is to get more goals for a side that has been heavily reliant on Marcus Rashford this season and that still lacks a proven goalscorer in central attack.
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Rashford has scored eight of United's last 18 goals across all competitions, setting up another three, and has scored in all but one of their matches since the World Cup. Anthony Martial has scored just four Premier League goals across the last two seasons, while January loan addition Wout Weghorst has only ever netted two.
United have a goal difference of just +8 at the halfway stage of the season, already 20 behind both City and Arsenal, who have both played one game less.
In the last five seasons, the lowest amount of goals scored by the Premier League winners was 83, and the average has been 93. In that time, the most United have scored in a single league season is 73. Even at their best, they have been way off the mark.
United have made signing a new striker their priority for the summer transfer window, and Tottenham star Harry Kane remains an option for them in that search.
He might not be as young as fellow targets Victor Osimhen or Gonçalo Ramos, but he has the advantage of being Premier League proven and would be an ideal fit for Ten Hag as both a lethal scorer and someone who contributes to link-up play.
The 29-year-old is the second-highest scorer in the Premier League this season with 15 goals and has entered the final 18 months of his Tottenham contract. Antonio Conte's side could come under intense pressure to sell Kane in the summer or risk losing him without a fee, as he is unlikely to commit to a new contract.
Yet even given his age and the time left on his current deal, Tottenham are still likely to drive a hard bargain, meaning United could well have to spend a sizeable chunk of their summer budget on the forward.
The lack of longevity might put some supporters off, but given that United need a proven scorer to add firepower to their attack, there might not be any better option than Kane this summer, and he could well be the missing link piece of the jigsaw puzzle needed to win the title.
A move for Kane could well be reminiscent of the deal to sign Robin van Persie over a decade ago, who arrived at the age of 29 from North London, winning both the Golden Boot and Premier League title in his debut season.
It would also be contradictory for United to rule out a move for Kane based on his age when they signed Casemiro, 30, last summer, and he has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the league this season.
In fact, it could be a match made in heaven. The Tottenham forward is desperate to add silverware to his trophy cabinet, and a move to a resurgent United might be his best chance of doing that at this stage of his career.
Kane is also driven by the possibility of becoming the top scorer in Premier League history. He is already third on the list, ten goals behind Wayne Rooney and 62 behind Alan Shearer's record tally.
The Tottenham forward might well not be the long-term solution, but his short-term impact could be priceless in re-establishing United as the top team in England and making them even more appealing to any future stars.
United need goals, and Kane guarantees them.
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