Erik ten Hag hails ‘clever’ Harry Kane ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham
Posted by  badge Boss on Apr 26, 2023 - 09:50PM
Harry Kane is one of Manchester United’s top targets for the summer transfer window (Getty)

has described as a ‘clever player’ ahead of ’s Premier League clash with Tottenham on Thursday evening.

Kane has scored 24 Premier League goals for Spurs this season as Ten Hag looks to bolster his squad with a new striker.

The England captain is understood to be considering his future as he will end another season without winning a trophy with Tottenham, while he also faces the prospect of no Champions League football next term if his side miss out on a top-four finish.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s game in north London, Ten Hag insists United need a ‘very good plan’ to keep Kane quiet as Spurs look to recover from their woeful performance in the 6-1 defeat away to Newcastle United last Sunday.

‘It’s quite clear his impact on the game for ,’ Ten Hag said.

‘Yeah, we have a plan, of course, before [the game] for that.

‘In the home game he did very well. For tomorrow we need a very good plan as well.

‘You have to defend him as a team. He’s a clever player, so don’t allow him to come in situations where he can have a big impact on the game.’

Harry Kane during Tottenham’s 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday (Getty)

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s new interim manager Ryan Mason insists the squad will not be unsettled by Kane’s link with a move to United.

‘For me personally, honestly, it’s not about an individual, in this moment it’s about a group of players, the staff that are involved and the club as a whole,’ Mason said.

‘The season’s not over yet, we have six games, six important games as well. The focus isn’t on any individual, it’s on the group and that’s not going to change.

‘There’s always talk when you play for a club like this and you’re involved in a club like this, there’s going to be talk.

‘But most importantly we need to be close in the changing room, in this training centre and if we’re compact in here then that’ll transfer onto the pitch.

‘The speculation is speculation, ultimately. That’s not going to affect us in the changing room.’

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