Erik ten Hag has described Harry Kane, his No 1 summer transfer target, as a “great player and personality” in the buildup to Manchester United’s game at Tottenham. Ten Hag has identified Spurs’ record goalscorer as the elite striker United require to become genuine challengers for major honours and will see him up close in north London on Thursday evening. A win for United would extend their lead over the hosts, now under the caretaker charge of Ryan Mason, to nine points in the race for Champions League football. Asked why he admires Kane, Ten Hag said: “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, great personality as well. “It’s quite clear his impact on the game for Spurs – we have a plan for that and in the home game [which United won 2-0 in October] we did very well, so for [Thursday] we need a very good plan as well. You have to defend as a team – he [Kane] is a clever player; don’t allow him to come into situations where he can have a big impact on the game.” On the significance of the match in general, Ten Hag added: “You see the table – it’s quite clear. But our approach will not change. Our approach is we want to win every game. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.” Regarding United’s needs to sign a high-class centre-forward, the Dutchman said: “We need to strengthen the team, also the depth in the squad. But I don’t think about that at this moment. It’s not about that. So far, we have had a great season so keep going, keep improving, keep progressing. The team is doing so well and it is enjoyable to be part of this team. We have to keep it going. We have good players, a great team, a great year but it is only success if we keep going.” It was put to Ten Hag that his players panic in games and that is why they have suffered a series of heavy defeats this season, among them 6-3 at Manchester City, 7-0 at Liverpool and 3-0 at Sevilla last week, which resulted in them exiting the Europa League. “In some games it was the case but also I think in many other cases we were composed and we managed the game and won the game,” the manager replied. “We need leadership in such moments, those who know how to do it and they have already proved it here but also in other clubs how to deal with it.” Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for the game against Spurs because of a foot problem.