Manchester United can break bad habit vs Tottenham to give Harry Kane transfer incentive

Harry Kane has faced Manchester United 18 times in his career, but his 19th encounter will hold a different air about it.

Even the most secluded footballer will not have been able to escape the news that Erik ten Hag has made the 29-year-old his primary summer target. Kane’s consolation in Sunday’s 6-1 embarrassment by Newcastle laid bare his heart, desire and effort when the proverbial hits the fan.

He was one, if not the only, Spurs player to head straight towards the away end to show his appreciation and clap the splatter of fans left up in the gods at St James' Park after experiencing 90 minutes of hell.

READ MORE: Carragher makes Kane Manchester United prediction after Tottenham embarrassment

It showed his character and professionalism and a depiction of why he is England’s captain and bafflement why he isn’t Tottenham’s. After facing Spurs supporters in the eye after that capitulation, Kane will go toe-to-toe with his potential future teammates on Thursday when United visit.

The attacker has played under nine different managers at Tottenham and former on-pitch colleague Ryan Mason will be his third this season, having featured under him during his first stint in 2021.

Mason's second match of his first tenure saw him lose 1-0 to Manchester City in the League Cup final - Kane’s most recent of three club final defeats having yet to clasp hands on a trophy under any of Mason’s predecessors.

Ten Hag has managed to get his hands on silverware at the first attempt, lifting the aforementioned cup in February. But for all United’s successes this season, the thorn in their side has been their away form.

The Reds have lost six visits to current top 10 sides this season, including humbling defeats to Brentford, Manchester