Manchester United's only answer to Erling Haaland was obvious and Erik ten Hag knew it

Goals were a major problem for Manchester United during the Erik ten Hag era and, yet, one potential solution he earmarked would have pretty much guaranteed them.

United have spent £100million-plus on two strikers since they side-stepped a move for Harry Kane last summer. At that juncture, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom opted against even trying to play ball with Daniel Levy and the England captain eventually touched down at Bayern Munich.

Although striking up business with such a fearsome negotiator would have been tricky to say the least, had things gone to plan in that respect then seeing Kane in a United shirt would have been the perfect answer to Manchester City boasting Erling Haaland in their ranks.

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As it turned out, United earmarked a raw Rasmus Hojlund as the man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo front and centre in attacking quarters, while Joshua Zirkzee was summoned this summer to provide cover and competition. But now the Old Trafford giants are said to be having "major doubts" about his £36.5million transfer.

Buy cheap, buy twice as the saying goes. Hojlund and Zirkzee were not particularly cheap, it has to be said, and the former in particular might have the ability to justify his price tag. However, in Kane, there was the finished article to at least try and find the catalyst to wrestle back bragging rights in this famous footballing city.

Plenty of ifs, buts and maybes, you might argue, but United went down the project route and the man at the front of that is no longer in town. It's over to Ruben Amorim to try and nurture Hojlund and Zirkzee to the next level, but whispers linking