Harry Kane made it obvious Manchester United are crying out for a player of his quality after he helped Bayern Munich outclass Erik ten Hag’s side… he must think he dodged a bullet by not moving to Old Trafford

His penalty ball nestled into the bottom corner of the Manchester United net and Harry Kane drifted away to his left to celebrate in front of his legions of new fans. High up on the highest level of the Allianz Arena, United fans looked down on the prize that had once again eluded them.

Eight minutes of the second half had passed and Kane was heading back towards the halfway line. “Brace yourself like a Harry Kane,” the stadium announcer shouted through the loudspeaker system and the crowd roared and bounced and cheered for the England captain, who had just given his team the lead 3 -1.

And so, to accompany his goal against Werder Bremen, his double against Augsburg and that against Bayer Leverkusen last Friday, he now has a goal in the Champions League against United. He also had an assist. And that was Kane on a relatively quiet night.

History is full of British stars who moved abroad and failed to settle down. For every Gary Lineker, who loved life and football at Barcelona, ​​there is an Ian Rush, who looked lost at Juventus. Not surprisingly, Kane seems to want to become Lineker.

Of the five he scored for his new team, it was the penalty against United that pleased him the most. For reasons unknown, United chose not to bid for him this summer, even when it became clear he was for sale. As their season descended further into crisis, Kane gave them a glimpse of what they were missing.

The England captain bagged a goal and an assist to add more misery to United’s season.

Bayern weren’t at their best but still managed to outclass a United side in crisis

United manager Erik ten Hag insisted on Tuesday he had no regrets about not signing Kane. Really? The reality is that he had to say it but, as Kane became more and more influential in Bayern’s victory, it was obvious that United were crying out for a player of his quality.

Bayern weren’t at their best here but they still outclassed United. Kane has now left their league. He was bought in an attempt to win another Champions League to add to Bayern’s collection and he must look at what is happening at Old Trafford and think he has dodged a bullet.

Kane doesn’t wander around the pitch like Lionel Messi does, but he doesn’t run the ball either. He didn’t touch it for the first ten minutes and when he did, he headed past a pass to Leroy Sané on the right wing who raced into touch.

In those opening minutes, it was more instructive to see how United could have benefited from an instinctive finisher like the England skipper. Uruguayan youngsters Facundo Pellistri and Christian Eriksen both spurned early chances that Kane would have buried.

The same was true ten minutes before half-time when Sergio Reguilon burst down the left and slipped a brilliant ball across the face of goal. It just needed to be finished. All it took was one touch. Pellistri and Hojlund watched him pass.

But when Kane got involved, his contribution was crucial. Almost half an hour had passed and United were the better team when Kane took a short ball from Sane with his back to goal. He sent it straight back to Sane and although Sane scuffed his shot, it got away from Andre Onana and rolled slowly into the net.

Bayern went further four minutes later when Jamal Musiala revealed Diogo Dalot’s limits and Gnabry initiated his pullback. It already seemed too easy for Bayern and Kane hadn’t even shifted into second gear.

That assist, however, was typical of Kane and the effect he can have on a team. He’s a team player, a brilliant liaison, someone who does selfless things as second nature. United could do with a few like him, which could be one of the reasons Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel praised him on Tuesday.

Erik Ten Hag has claimed he has no regrets about not signing Kane, but the striker has made it clear he is crying out for someone of his quality.

Kane is a brilliant and selfless liaison who has demonstrated his creative qualities at Allianz.

“Anyone looking for a 9 this summer would have been happy to have Harry in the team,” said Tuchel, who was serving a touchline ban. “He makes the team better and gives you what you want from a 9. He can go deep, turn, use the speed of the players around him.

“He can arrive in the box at the right time, he’s a great finisher and a good penalty taker. I’m not sure what’s happening at other clubs, but we’re more than happy that he finally made the decision and came to make us better. Can he make the difference? He will always make the difference in any match.

Hojlund could yet develop into a great player for United and he showed his character three minutes after half-time when he forced a short pass from Marcus Rashford. But he is far from the versatile striker Kane and, as if to remind everyone, Kane restored Bayern’s two-goal lead almost immediately.

Bayern were awarded a penalty when Dayot Upamecano headed against Eriksen’s arm and Kane stepped up to smash Onana’s low kick to the right. Onana guessed correctly but he didn’t have a prayer to save him.

Kane might have scored again midway through the half, but his fierce shot was saved by Onana. As Kane chased the loose ball towards the touchline, Lisandro Martinez brought him down with a wicked challenge full of frustration and helplessness. This earned the Argentine defender a warning. It was the only time he laid a glove on Kane all night.