Wayne Rooney tells Manchester United to ditch £100m Jadon Sancho move for Harry Kane transfer

Wayne Rooney has ordered former club Manchester United to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane over Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho in the future.

The Spurs forward will take to the field against the Red Devils on Sunday as Jose Mourinho’s north Londoners face off against United in the Premier League and Rooney reckons Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should invest money in the man who replaced him as England captain in 2018. 

And while Rooney believes a deal for Kane will be difficult for United, the Derby County star claims the Red Devils will benefit much more from a tactical viewpoint with Kane in their side – rather than Sancho. 

Wayne Rooney (right) has told Manchester United to sign Harry Kane (left) from Tottenham

Rooney claims signing Kane makes more sense than a pricey move for Jadon Sancho (above)

Speaking in his Times column ahead of United’s match with Spurs, Rooney said: ‘Jadon Sancho is a top player, but I find it odd that he has been Manchester United’s transfer priority. Why consider paying close to £100 million for someone similar to talent you’ve got already? 

‘United have Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial and where would Sancho’s arrival leave Mason Greenwood, who plays in the same position and is of similar age? I’d rather put that £100 million towards trying to get Harry Kane. 

‘Yes, getting Kane out of Tottenham would be difficult, maybe impossible, but United are a club who should always make an effort to sign the very best players and Kane is exactly what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs, as is Erling Haaland, who United missed out on last year — a genuine No 9.’

Kane will be aiming to hurt Man United when his Spurs side go to Old Trafford on Sunday

United have been linked with a move for young winger Sancho all summer though have just a matter of days to secure a deal.

The 20-year-old, who plays alongside Kane at international level, is likely to remain in the German top-flight for the forthcoming season due to his high £108million price tag.

Rooney, who himself holds a player-coach role at Championship side Derby, thinks United are in need of a central striker that can compliment the likes of Rashford, Greenwood and Martial. 

Rooney says Manchester United need a fixed number 9 much more than a winger like Sancho

He continued: ‘A Kane or Haaland or someone like Robert Lewandowski would give Rashford and Martial someone to play off and freedom to roam into different areas, pick the ball up and try to beat men — without the burden of always having to score. 

‘It would be better for him as well if United had a recognised No 9, because he could learn from them, just as I did from Ruud van Nistelrooy. 

‘Of course there are different ways to play the position and Liverpool make brilliant use of a false nine in Roberto Firmino. 

‘I wonder if a solution for Solskjaer could be a diamond midfield with Bruno Fernandes at the tip and Martial and Rashford as wide forwards, using their speed, similar to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.’