Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen? The stats behind who Erik Ten Hag should splash the cash on

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has put a new number 9 at the top of his summer hiring plans following the explosive departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although the Dutchman acquired Wout Weghorst on loan in the January transfer window as a stopgap until the end of the season, United desperately need a proven goalscorer if they are to challenge for the title next year.

So far, Ten Hag have had to rely on injury-prone Anthony Martial and Weghorst to lead the line in United’s three-point attack this season.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed that United are interested in signing Tottenham striker Harry Kane, while £107m Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has also emerged as an option to lead the line next season. .

While most fans would be immediately drawn to the Premier League-proven Kane, sports mail check out the stats behind who Ten Hag should be spending money this summer.

Both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are potential targets to lead Manchester United’s line next season.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag has put a new number 9 at the top of his summer recruitment plans.

Before delving into the statistics that separate the two stars, Man United will no doubt dig into the fact that Osimhen is five years younger than 29-year-old Kane.

The Napoli star is just 24 and could definitely be a younger, longer-term option for the number 9 spot at Old Trafford.

Osimhen is also undoubtedly the faster number 9 of the two, reaching a top speed of 34.3km/h in the Champions League this season compared to Kane’s 31.5km/h.

Throughout this season, Kane played in, and started, 30 games for the Spurs, while Osimhen was used from the start in 18 of 21 games.

The England captain also tends to play full 90 minutes, while Osimhen averages 76 minutes per game, which is sure to be scrutinized by Ten Hag and his scouts.

There’s no denying that both forwards are prolific in front of goal, which was exemplified when Kane became Tottenham’s all-time top scorer with a fine finish against United rivals Man City on Sunday. .

In fact, there is very little going on between the two forwards this season with Kane racking up 19 goals and three assists in all competitions this season, while Serie A top scorer Osimhen has 17 and three respectively.

Interestingly though, the Napoli star averages just 30.4 touches per goal, while Kane does 62.4. Osimhen also scores every 94 minutes, almost every game, while Kane usually takes 140 minutes to find the net.

Manchester United may well take into account that Osimhen is still only 24 years old, while Kane is 29.

The ever-reliable Harry Kane is averaging 90 minutes per game and has converted more than half of his big chances this season.

Osmihen’s final prowess was epitomized by his emphatic volley against Roma in late January.

He displayed both skill and strength, chesting the ball down in a crowded box and getting up with his knee before firing into the roof of the net past a helpless Rui Patricio on goal.

When it comes to taking risks, it seems like Kane is the man every manager would want to go through in goal.

The 29-year-old has converted more than half of his big chances (54.2 percent) this season, while Osimhen has scored 45.2 percent of his.

The Nigerian international has also missed 17 big chances this season compared to Kane’s 11. It’s worth noting that, over the past two seasons, Osimhen has converted more big chances (58.1 percent) than Kane (50.9 percent).

sofascore.es stats show how lethal forwards Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen compare

Ten Hag will certainly want a No. 9 who can create as well as score and the stats suggest Kane is more involved in games.

In fact, since the start of the 2021-22 season, Kane has created a staggering 87 chances to Osimhen’s 35. Meanwhile, this season, the England striker has created nearly three times as many chances (11) as Osimhen (four).

He’s also more involved in the games, racking up 953 successful passes to Osimhen’s 370 over the past two seasons.

It remains to be seen who Ten Hag will recruit this summer, but Osimhen is certainly a strong contender with the stats to show just how explosive he is in front of goal.

However, the overall ability that Kane displays, not just as a finisher, but as someone who can link the game up consistently, could be too big of a temptation for Ten Hag.