Manchester United can use Erik ten Hag's blueprint to stop Harry Kane and Bayern Munich

"Let's have a look at what you could have won..."

Jim Bowen won't be the stadium announcer for Bayern Munich on Wednesday night for what is a mouth-watering Champions League group-stage showdown with Erik ten Hag and his misfiring Manchester United team. But his catchphrase applies, Ten Hag and United already know what Harry Kane would have brought them.

Despite registering an interest in the England captain, United did not get their would-be pursuit off the ground as they eventually plumped for Denmark prospect Rasmus Hojlund instead. He has shown one or two sharp glimpses in two early-season appearances, but it must be about the here and now for United.

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Brighton dished out a third defeat already this season and things do not get any easier for United as they prepare to board the plane to Bavaria in midweek. Waiting for them around 20 miles from Munich International airport will be free-scoring Kane and his star-studded Bayern teammates.

United had their reasons for not targeting Kane this summer. Chief among them was the perilous thought of them dealing with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy - a fearsome negotiator with who the club have history - and they might not have done business with a Premier League rival in any case.

Regardless of what might or might not have been, Kane has hit the ground running in the Bundesliga and Hojlund has yet to get off the mark as he continues to build fitness. That should only be a matter of time, though, following two encouraging showings since returning from injury to make his debut.

Ignoring constraints with the budget for a moment, there was a dream