Man United won’t win the Premier League even if they sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice, Andy Cole says

Manchester United still won’t win the Premier League even if they sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice this summer, Andy Cole has warned.

United, smarting from their FA Cup final defeat by Manchester City at the weekend, are expected to be active in the transfer window over the coming weeks, and both Tottenham striker Kane and West Ham midfielder Rice are targets.

As reported by Mail Sport in April, Kane tops United’s shortlist with boss Erik ten Hag desperate to recruit a new forward to fix his side’s lack of attacking potency. 

They are unwilling to be dragged into a lengthy saga, however, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy – a notoriously fearsome negotiator – is again expected to play hard ball. Kane may cost around £100million, and Real Madrid are also interested in him following the departure of Karim Benzema.

Rice is set to move too now the season has ended and he, alongside England team-mate Kane, could help United close the gap to their cross-city rivals.

The club are also interested in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who will leave this summer

Erik ten Hag is desperate to strengthen his squad this summer after a successful first season

But Cole, a five-time Premier League winner and a member of the Treble-winning side during his spell at Old Trafford between 1995 and 2001, is adamant even the duo wouldn’t be enough for United to usurp City.

‘If Harry Kane wants to leave Tottenham and United wants to spend £80m+ on a 29-year-old, soon to be 30, then that’s entirely up to them,’ he told BoyleSports.

‘For me, United have to make up their mind whether they want to go for more senior players like Casemiro so they can bring success quicker, or they can build for the future. If you buy Kane, you need to replace him in two years’ time. 

‘United have been doing that for too long now since Robin van Persie came in for two years. 

‘Look at City when they bought Erling Haaland at 22-years-old, they can keep him for five years and then sell him for a profit while getting the best out of him.’

Cole then appeared to take aim at United’s targeting of older, experienced players in their bid to win trophies, insisting the approach will quickly prove detrimental. 

‘The instant success route of the transfer strategy will catch up with you eventually because you’ll need to replace those older players,’ he added. 

Former United striker Andy Cole has told United securing ‘instant success’ targets will backfire

Kane is also a target for Real Madrid and an enquiry from the LaLiga side is set to be lodged

Rice (pictured) is prepared to snub a move to Bayern Munich to stay in the Premier League 

‘If United buy Kane and someone like Declan Rice, they still wouldn’t be able to win the league anyway because the point gap between City is too big. 

‘Two players can improve your team, but they won’t make you overtake City. Everyone was talking about Arsenal winning the league this season and they folded because City are the better team and have the better squad.’

Madrid are set to test Kane’s resolve to become the Premier League’s highest-ever goal scorer with the LaLiga club poised to table a staggering £100m bid.

Benzema will depart the Bernabeu this summer and Madrid, in their search for a replacement, may turn their long-standing interest in Kane into an offer.

Kane and his family are known to be settled in north London and moving to Madrid would require deep thought, especially with wife Katie expecting their fourth child.

Rice, meanwhile, is keen to stay in the top-flight in a major blow to Bayern Munich.

Arsenal have emerged as the front-runners in the race, with United also interested.

Cole was speaking on behalf of BoyleSports about Champions League Winner Odds.