Manchester United’s transfer decision for Erik ten Hag has been resolved by Jose Mourinho.
It has been over four years since Jose Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United manager, but the divisive Portuguese might have solved an upcoming transfer dilemma for Erik ten Hag.
Love him or loath him, Mourinho was the last man to bring silverware back to Old Trafford, when he won the Carabao Cup and Europa League double in 2017, yet there is growing hope that Ten Hag will end that hoodoo this season with United still in three knockout cup competitions.
Looking ahead, it will be on the Dutchman to continue his impressive work in the transfer market, too, with a new striker top of the shopping list for United next summer. Victor Osimhen from Italian side Napoli and Harry Kane are on the radar, but which one should Ten Hag make his priority target for an ongoing rebuild?
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Having managed Kane for Tottenham and faced Osimhen as recently as this Sunday night, when the frontman gunned down his Roma side, Mourinho is as well placed as anyone to compare the two. Both would come with a glowing reference, albeit Osimhen featuring one little side note.
Speaking about the Napoli forward, Mourinho said: “He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn’t dive. If Victor changes, then okay, I’d buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money.
“However, if he does go to England one day, he must change, because, in Italy, this type of behavior is tolerated, whereas, in the Premier League, he would be harshly punished… I told him [after the game] that he scored a fantastic goal and that he should stop diving so much.
“His goal was fantastic, and he did the same thing earlier this season when we met. He’s a great player, but he can’t dive.”
“He is a very complete player,” the 60-year-old said of his time with Kane. He progressed from a No.9 to a complete player who is still an incredible goalscorer. He also contributes more to the team while scoring the same number of goals.
“It’s not like his qualities have changed and he now plays a different role with a lower score. He takes on a different role and scores the same amount of goals. He is an excellent leader. He is a calm guy with a voice when he needs it, surrounded by experienced players who can assist him.”
Kane is a complete striker with Premier League experience, but his contract situation means he may not cost as much as the Napoli sensation. Having said that, as Mourinho points out, Osimhen would be an exciting option, despite appearing to tip the balance in favor of England’s captain.
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