Erik ten Hag heaped praise on Harry Kane but was reluctant to be drawn on Manchester United‘s interest in the Tottenham striker ahead of Thursday’s clash between the two clubs.

Ten Hag claimed that he has a plan to shackle Kane as United look to take a step closer to securing a top-four finish at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having kept the England captain quiet in a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in October.

‘It’s quite clear, he can have a big impact on the game,’ said Ten Hag. ‘We have a plan for that. In the home game we did very well, so for tomorrow we need a very good plan as well.

‘You have to defend as a team. He’s a clever player. First of all, the number of goals and also his key actions that come to a goal.

‘Final passes as well. He is just a great player, and a great personality as well.’

Erik ten Hag has lauded praise on Harry Kane ahead of Man United’s clash with Tottenham

The Tottenham striker has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer

Mail Sport revealed in January that United are interested in signing Kane this summer, with Spurs set to slap a minimum £85million price tag on the 29-year-old player who will be out of contract in the summer of 2024.

It’s understood that United are now exploring the feasibility of bidding for Kane and are reluctant to become embroiled in a drawn-out transfer saga with Spurs chief Daniel Levy.

Ten Hag paused when asked what Kane could bring to United, before saying: ‘I am preparing my team tomorrow for a game against Spurs.

‘He is one of the Spurs players that we have to face so I don’t think about anything else.’

United go into the game in fourth place, six points ahead of Spurs with two games in hand.

Ten Hag is determined to add Champions League qualification to United’s Carabao Cup success and progress to the FA Cup final.

‘Both are important because we are a club who wants to win everything,’ he added.

Daniel Levy (right) could drive a hard bargain for Kane who will be out of contract in 2024

‘The points are more expensive in this period of the season, so make sure you are really ready. We are playing finals, and we have shown we know how to approach finals.’

Ten Hag paused when asked what Kane could bring to United, before saying: ‘He is one of the Spurs players we have to face so I don’t think about anything else.’

Ten Hag is out to add Champions League qualification to United’s Carabao Cup win and FA Cup final.

‘Points are more expensive in this period of the season,’ he added.

Source: dailymail.co.uk