United concluded a £ 72 million deal for Atalanta's promising Danish attacker Hojlund in August 2023 who has since struggled under the pressure of the club and the intensity of the Premier League. The club's striker could have been filled with a number of other talented stars, as McCarthy reveals as he spoke with Ladbrokes.
“In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our number 1 target,” said McCarthy, who left his coaching role at United in 2024, exclusively to Ladbrokes on the Lancing of Gaffer of all acca's. “Kane was the most important target, but it was clear that the price tag was a problem. Because he would have left Spurs for United, a few extra million pounds were added to the price tag.
“But for £ 100 million, if you look at it now, you would say it would have been worthwhile because he went to Bayern and he still produces, he still scores. So you think we just have the bullet should have bitten and I got Harry Kane and then also tried to invest in Rasmus Hojlund.
“That would have been the best for Rasmus if he had done that if he had someone like Harry Kane with it. So, yes, Harry Kane was Erik's number 1 target. Erik really wanted him. Kolo Muani was also very high on that list Victor Osimhen was also on that list.
“Harry Kane was the complete package for me. But unfortunately the club didn't see it. They looked it up as Rasmus Hojlund, in the long term a more appreciated property would be than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane. So we stopped with Having Kane, and in the end we only got Rasmus. “
Kane has since scored an amazing 73 goals in just 75 performances for the German giants, Osimhen has cost 19 times in 24 outings while he is on loan in Galatasaray and Muani has since had an influence on Juventus. McCarthy admits that Muani would have been a better choice for the club because of his high work percentage.
“I think they could have gone for someone else, like a player who was presented when I was there: Randal Kolo Muani,” said McCarthy. “Muani is only 26, but he is very experienced. He played in the World Cup Final.
“He has that appearance about him wherever he wants to achieve things. I thought he would have been someone who would have been really good for man United because he is not shy to work hard. He works tirelessly and he knows where it The goal is.
Hojlund has scored only 7 goals this season in 32 performances under manager Ruben Amorim, who does not turn the club around after a terrible start of their campaign. The striker is only 22 years old and clearly feels the pressure of so much responsibility in advance, which can cause United to take a step back to the transfer market at the end of the season.