Harry Kane is currently enjoying his football at Bayern Munich, but there was a time when the former Tottenham Hotspur striker would have turned down the Bundesliga for a move to Manchester United.
It has been two years since Harry Kane stepped out of his comfort zone by leaving England, where he starred for many years in the Premier League, to chase trophies with Bayern Munich in Germany.
There were no trophies in Kane’s first season at Bayern Munich as Bayer Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions under Xabi Alonso. However, Kane won his first domestic title in 2024/25 when Bayern restored their place at the top of German football.
Things could have been very different for Kane had he joined United instead of Bayern, especially when you consider how the Red Devils have reached new lows in the past two years. Former United manager Ron Atkinson said Kane would have solved problems at United.
Kane has continued to supply the goals for Bayern by scoring 18 in 10 matches this season, as well as three assists for his teammates in Bavaria.
United fans will argue that Kane would have eased the pain with his goals, but most are hopeful that Benjamin Sesko can be the future of the club as a goalscorer, after joining from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty ImagesHarry Kane was open to joining Man Utd
Kane left Tottenham for Bayern two years ago.
Erik ten Hag was in charge of United at the time, but United opted to go for a young option with Rasmus Hojlund, despite his lack of experience in the Premier League.
Hojlund managed just 26 goals in his first two seasons at United before being sent on loan to Napoli in an attempt to revive his career.
Now, respected reporter Ben Jacobs claims Kane had no issue with joining United when he left Tottenham.
“Kane as far as I was told at the time had no issue joining Manchester United from Spurs,” Jacobs told The United Stand.
“It wasn’t a case of ‘if I leave Spurs I have to leave the Premier League because I never want to wear another shirt.’ So there could be some encouragement there for Manchester United.”
Earlier reports stated that Kane was still open to the idea of joining United or another Premier League club to break Alan Shearer’s goal record.
Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand agreed that Kane would have transformed United in recent years.
Harry Kane cools talk of Premier League return
Now 32, Kane has dismissed claims of a return to the Premier League, revealing he is focused on Bayern and could extend his stay in Bavaria.
Kane is currently on international duty with England and looks set to lead the Three Lions to the World Cup next summer.
Speaking to The Standard, Kane has addressed speculation over his long-term future amid talk of a new contract at Bayern and a possible return to England at some point.
“The MLS would be something later in my career when I am thinking about the last couple of years or so. In terms of staying there [at Bayern] longer, I could definitely see that.
“I spoke openly after one of the recent games a couple of weeks ago that I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet, but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation.
“Obviously it depends on how the next year or so goes, what we achieve together. Right now, I would say we are in a fantastic moment and I am not thinking about anything else.
“In terms of the Premier League, I don’t know. If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years I would say probably say that has gone down a little bit, not so much, but I wouldn’t say I would never go back.
“What I have learnt in my career is that different opportunities and different timings happen and things fall in place. Going back to my first point, with Bayern right now, I am fully all in with Bayern. If there was a conversation about extending then we will see, but I have still got this season and another season.
“It is not like I am in my last year, it is not like there is any panic in that sense. I am calm, I love the manager at Bayern, I think he is fantastic and, as always in my career, as long we are improving and I am improving, then I am happy to see what we can achieve.
“If there is going to be an extension it has to work for everyone and it has to have a clear vision on where we see the club. As I say, the manager is a big part of that, the players are a big part of that. Personally I don’t want to rush into anything, the conversation I am sure will be one we have and then we will go from there.
“I am extremely happy there, my wife and kids are happy to stay and as you get older that a big part of any decision you make.
“But, as always, you never know what is around the corner. I am not going to put my eggs in any basket. I am going to enjoy what I am doing and right now that is at Bayern Munich, definitely for this season and probably next season that is going to be the way.”