Manchester United have dropped out of the battle for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

The Sunday Express says United have accepted they are unlikely to be able to sign Kane, leaving rivals Manchester City and Real Madrid to scrap it out for the Tottenham marksman.

Kane has refused to rule out leaving Tottenham unless they start winning trophies and it has even been suggested that he could be sold to fund a squad overhaul.

And now he is at the centre of a £150million tug of war between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Although United are long-time admirers of Kane, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward accepts the chances of getting him to Old Trafford are remote.

Premier League champions City are keen to straighten their squad this summer, and a new striker could be on their shopping list.

Meanwhile, Real are keen to make more changes to their squad this summer and have looked to see which strikers could be available.