Manchester United’s lack of goals this season has been clear for all to see with Rasmus Hojlund’s form, in particular, coming under the scanner.
The Dane, who had finished as the club’s top scorer in his debut campaign, was expected to improve even further in his sophomore season in English football.
But it has been the complete opposite. The 22-year-old has not scored in 14 games now while managing only two goals in the Premier League thus far.
Most worryingly, the Denmark international looks like he cannot even do the basics right at the moment, struggling to hold on to the ball under pressure, while his first touch has continued to let him down.
Delap being eyed
Which is why Ruben Amorim is open to the idea of moving him on in the summer with West Ham and Juventus among his admirers. And the Portuguese tactician has identified Liam Delap of Ipswich Town as the perfect alternative.
The England U21 international has been a revelation despite the Tractor Boys’ difficulties back in the English top-flight with Delap netting nine goals while also registering two assists.
His former club Manchester City had included a buyback clause into his Ipswich deal and there was initial talk that might exercise it in a bid to thwart the Red Devils.
But as recently relayed by The Peoples Person, City will not do that leaving United and Chelsea to fight it out for his signature come summer.
And as per journalist Ben Jacobs, it is the Blues who are favourites with the 22-year-old interested in Enzo Maresca’s project at Stamford Bridge.
“If Arsenal get Sesko, Chelsea then likely would move for Liam Delap. And then we wait and see whether Manchester United, who also appreciate Delap, can influence that situation,” Jacobs was quoted as saying on the Market Madness podcast by Teamtalk.
Chelsea are favourites
“Of course, Manchester United fans being greedy and not thinking about finances will say, ‘we’ll just get Victor Gyokeres because Ruben Amorim likes him’, but that’s a £70 million outlay.”
“And Delap, I think, is also quite intrigued by the Chelsea project, especially knowing that if he’s the number nine that comes in, he may stand a very strong chance of supplanting or at least competing with Nicolas Jackson, who, we must stress, Chelsea do still have big faith in. So Chelsea and Delap is one to watch.”
Jason Wilcox knows Delap well from his time at City and the Ipswich frontman is certainly the more cost-effective option as compared to Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
A lot will depend on the club’s eventual transfer budget which can be swelled by the sales of high-profile stars. An interesting summer window awaits the club and its fans.
Feature image Richard Pelham via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
