Upgrade on Rashford: Man Utd leading the race to sign £30m "monster"
da fezbet： Manchester United are down to the bare bones in attacking areas for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho are the only natural attacking players left for Ruben Amorim to select from this term, not counting the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, who can play as number 10s.
da cassino： Joshua Zirkzee picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend against Newcastle United and could miss the rest of the season. Meanwhile, winger Amad has now been out for some time with an ankle injury.
This will surely bear weight in the transfer window, with United needing to add reinforcements in attack to avoid situations where they are thin on the ground in terms of depth. In fact, they have been linked with one player who could do just that.
Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward
If there is one player who is wanted by a multitude of Premier League clubs during the 2025 summer transfer window, it is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. Well, United are certainly one of the sides interested in signing him this summer.
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In fact, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Red Devils have had ‘a major breakthrough’ in their pursuit of the England under-21 star. Their sources suggest United’s ‘package is far more solid’ than any other side in pursuit, with the Old Trafford outfit having moved ahead in the race.
The main competitor to Amorim’s side for Delap’s signature is reportedly Chelsea, as well as their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Whichever side wins the race for Delap, they would have to pay just £30m due to a relegation release clause in his contract at Portman Road.
Why Delap would be a good signing
Despite the Tractor Boys’ struggles in the Premier League this term, it has been a season to remember for the former Manchester City academy star Delap. Football statistician Statman Dave believes he is “going straight to the very top”, and there is certainly evidence of that this term.
The 22-year-old has 12 goals and two assists in 31 top-flight appearances this term. That is even more impressive when you consider Kieran McKenna’s side have scored just 33 times in the top flight, with Delap’s 12 an impressive 36% of their goals.
Another thing to note about the England under-21 striker is his ability to score against some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. This season, he scored twice at home in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and also has goals against Spurs and Chelsea.
Should the Red Devils bring Delap to the club this summer, he could prove to be the perfect upgrade on Marcus Rashford. The England international is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where he has an impressive three goals and six assists in 15 games, including this exceptional assist against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Villans boss Unai Emery said it “depends on the circumstances” as to whether he will stay at the club from United. Delap – who has been dubbed a “monster” by teammate Alex Palmer – has enjoyed a more successful campaign in the Premier League than the deadly attacker, who has just five goals and four assists for United and Villa.
So, from a goals and assists point of view, the Ipswich star would arguably improve United’s squad, although Rashford offers lots outside of goal involvements. However, Delap is outscoring Hojlund this term, who has just three top-flight goals.
Not only that, his underlying numbers are better across the board than the United number nine. For example, as per Squawka, he averages 1.2 shots on target and has a 24.49% conversion rate per 90 minutes, compared to Hojlund’s 0.6 shots on target and 17.65% conversion rate each game.
Delap vs. Hojlund key stats 2024/25
Stat (per 90)
Delap
Hojlund
Shots on target
1.2
0.6
Goals
0.5
0.2
Conversion rate
24.49%
17.65%
Chances created
0.8
0.8
Take-ons completed
1.5
0.4
Aerial duels won
2.1
1.2
Stats from Squawka
A deal to sign Delap seems like a perfect move for United. Not only is he cost-efficient, but he is proven in the Premier League and is outperforming some of their biggest stars, including Rashford, when it comes to goals and assists.
This seems like a dream market opportunity for Amorim’s side, who can elevate the squad and make them even more deadly in front of goal.
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