Wayne Rooney has praised Harry Kane and compared him to Manchester United great Ruud van Nistelrooy, as speculation linking the Tottenham Hotspur star with a move to Old Trafford continues to grow.
The Red Devils are reportedly weighing up a world-record £200m bid for the England captain, who recently put Europe’s giant clubs on alert.
The 26-year-old, who has scored 183 goals in 278 Spurs appearances, admitted last month that he would not stay at the north London club “for the sake of it”.
And although United are unlikely to meet the huge asking price and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has claimed he would not sell to a Premier League rival, Rooney maintains that he would build a team around Kane.
“In the last two seasons we’ve seen him drop deeper more and play balls in behind and he’s very good at it, as we saw when England beat Spain in Seville," Rooney told The Sunday Times.
“But if I were managing Harry, I’d be telling him to stay high as that No 9. His biggest strength is finishing and he strikes the ball so well that from 20 yards or closer he should be looking to hit it whenever possible.
"Harry is a classic No 9, the closest I’ve seen to Ruud. If I were building a team, he’s the one I’d start with. Harry Kane: there’s my No 9. Then I’d build the rest around him.”
Rooney also believes that Kane will soon overtake his record 53 goals for England. “I don’t think it will take long for Harry Kane to claim my England record and it would be a proud moment for me,” he added.
“I’ve never been a selfish player and it would be great for England for Harry to get there. Bobby Charlton had to wait 50 years - I hope it’s not so long for me.
“The United record might last longer simply because players don’t stay at clubs as long as they used to. Mind you, if Messi or Ronaldo came to Old Trafford for a swansong they’d probably break it in three or four years.”
Kane will lead England at next summer’s European Championships having scored 32 goals in his 45 caps to date.
Don-ManUTD
0
If Kane come to Man U, who will be the captain of the team Maguire or kan
Who was still the captain when Brunoooooooo came?
Rieblnps
0
Kane is the best strike ever
We don't need Kane but you can sign him by yourself
Joel14
0
after that Rooney praise, the obvious ole gunnar answer bout harry, keane's recommendation of kane i would love to watch harry kane break Rooney's england record in a united shirt.
Fudkpstu
0
my possible first 11 for 20/21 season
Fudkpstu
0
All this fake news from English media is to make United board to see Kane as a good player but we don't need him, Someone who half of his goals are from penalties, We don't need Kane
Kane is the best strike ever
Toddlmnpsz
0
All this fake news from English media is to make United board to see Kane as a good player but we don't need him, Someone who half of his goals are from penalties, We don't need Kane
Hi Donald trump
Bokbikmor
1
If Kane come to Man U, who will be the captain of the team Maguire or kan
jezabdnpyz
0
Harry Kane Is A Natural Goal Scorer. Already Has A Proven Scoring Record In The League Year In Year Out. The Perfect Centre Forward For United. If We Got The Money 💰.., Just Spend It. With Him And Sancho Aboard.., We Will Be Title Contender.., Not Pretender Anymore.
TajemniczyPl
1
KANE IS JUST RUMOR!
Honcho__
2
Kane is an All-round Forward and a Perfect No. 9, But £200m is way too much for him
Rieblnps
2
All this fake news from English media is to make United board to see Kane as a good player but we don't need him, Someone who half of his goals are from penalties, We don't need Kane
BavarianNetbuster
1
Rashford and Martial be like : am I a joke to you[Crylaugh]
BavarianNetbuster
1
lol first you prefer Messi to Ronaldo and now u say kane is perfect 9, what are u up to Rooney[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]