Thomas Tuchel says Harry Kane's arrival at Bayern Munich is a 'huge deal' as they prepare to take on Manchester United

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel says convincing Harry Kane to join the club was a "huge deal" and will help the team to "shine" this season.

As he looked for a new challenge away from Tottenham, there was a widespread expectation that Manchester United may have been Kane's destination in the summer.

However, it is the team United face in their opening UEFA Champions League group stage fixture on Wednesday - live on TNT Sports - who secured Kane’s signature, and their manager could not be happier.

“It's a big thing, we took the skipper of England out of England, out of Premier League, it's a huge deal, a big transfer, we're very happy," said Tuchel ahead of the Group A clash against United at the Allianz Arena.

"Anyone looking for a No. 9 would've been happy to have Harry in their team.

“He makes your team better. He gives you what you expect from a No. 9, personality, goals, quality.

"Everybody wanted to have him and I’m not sure what was going on in other clubs but we are happy he finally made the decision to join us and make us better.

“He will always be a difference maker in any game. Not only in the big games. Not only by goals. He gives us a lot of personality. He will, with time, make our players around him better. He will learn how to make them shine.”

Bayern Munich and Manchester United have a long history of facing each other in Europe, with their most famous encounter coming in the Champions League final in 1999.

Bayern led 1-0 at the Nou Camp going into injury-time, but goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won the trophy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Tuchel knows the importance of the fixture for both clubs as they look to strike an early blow in Group A.

"I really think Bayern Munich against Manchester United is a big game. Two big European clubs playing each other in the Champions League. We are proud to be part of it and we want to play our part so the fans can enjoy it.”

Remembering the dramatic turnaround in 1999, Tuchel said: "Bayern had so many chances to make it 2-0 and then two dead ball situations changed the game. I was speechless.

"This game was really special and everybody who was at this game would never forget it.

“Bayern did everything to win the game. It created a hunger to change things and it led to them winning the Champions League two years later, even though in that moment it was devastating for everyone involved."

Those glory days under Ferguson seem a distant memory to United fans, who have endured many recent seasons of under-performance.

A less than satisfactory start to the current campaign has seen United win just two of five Premier League matches, and they were booed by some fans during last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton.

"There is always a lot of noise around Manchester United. A lot of pundits in the UK are from Manchester United. You have a legacy from Alex Ferguson which creates expectations around the club,” Tuchel said.

"All of us, me in Bayern and my colleague at Man Utd, want to achieve the same things. It is pretty common at Man Utd that little things become a bit bigger or the talking is a bit noisier.

"From what I know, they have a coaching environment where players can grow. That is what we do, to instil principles and rules to create a winning culture.

"For me it is evident to see the way I see Man Utd play. The results maybe don't [show it] but it is a team full of quality and we will never underestimate them."

Bayern’s start to the season sees them unbeaten in the Bundesliga with three wins from four matches.

They dropped points for the first time last weekend against Bayer Leverkusen.

Things will be slightly different for the German champions against United, with Tuchel banned from the touchline after being sent off in last season’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City.

Speaking about how he will watch the game, Tuchel said: "I don't really know how things will turn out. I know I can drive to the stadium with the team but not be with them at the stadium until 15 minutes after the game.

"I guess there will be a lounge where I will be able to watch the game. It is not pretty but it's the way it is. We have strong coaching staff and my assistant coaches will definitely do their job. I will try to give energy from the stands as well."

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