'Great player' - what Erik ten Hag said about Harry Kane amid Manchester United interest

Erik ten Hag has hailed Harry Kane as a "great player and great personality" amid Manchester United's interest in the Tottenham striker.

Ten Hag has earmarked Kane as his preferred target to sharpen a profligate attack in the summer but sources say United are reluctant to get involved in any games with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

United have not signed anyone from Tottenham since Dimitar Berbatov on transfer deadline day in 2008 and Manchester City failed with a £100million bid to buy Kane two years ago.

Also read: United reluctant to play Levy's game over Kane

Kane's career is at a crossroads as he approaches the final year of his contract at Tottenham, who were thumped 6-1 by Newcastle on Sunday and sacked caretaker manager Cristian Stellini on Monday.

With Champions League qualification unlikely and Kane out of contract next year, United have emerged as the probable destination for the England captain if he favours a move to another club in England.

Ten Hag refused to be drawn on the prospect of Kane donning a red shirt but spoke of his admiration for the 29-year-old ahead of United's trip to Tottenham on Thursday night.

"First of all, the number of goals," Ten Hag said when asked what impressed him most about Kane, "and also his key actions [that] come to a goal. Final passes as well. He is just a great player. Great personality as well."

When it was later suggested to Ten Hag the United squad required more personalities to handle setbacks such as the surrender in Seville last week, he concurred. "Yeah, definitely. But it is just be composed be calm, carry on, play your game, stick to the plan, stick together. it is about issues like this.

"I think we need leadership in such moments who know how to do it and