United set their sights on former City talent lighting up the PL, Guardiola will be kicking himself – report

Manchester United are interested in former Manchester City striker Liam Delap, who is making headlines with his exploits at Ipswich Town.

Delap only left City for Ipswich on a permanent transfer in the summer in a deal believed to be worth around £20 million.

At the time, the figure appeared pretty significant for the young Englishman, who didn’t exactly set the Championship alight during his multiple loan spells away from City in previous seasons.

However, according to The Athletic, Delap is “generating interest among bigger clubs over a potential move next summer” following his prolific start at the newly-promoted side, led by former United assistant coach Kieran McKenna.

His return of six goals and an assist in 12 Premier League games this term has raised eyebrows, boosting his valuation in no time, with suitors across the division following his progress closely.

It is understood some interested parties attended Ipswich’s 1-1 draw against United on Sunday.

The clash also underlined the lack of goalscoring threat at Amorim’s disposal. Marcus Rashford started as the number nine and Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench in the second half. Both forwards could do little to impress in the limited minutes they got at Ipswich.

The Denmark international did show promise against FK Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League, scoring twice in Amorim’s second match in charge of United. However, he still needs to improve a lot to cement his place as the undisputed first-choice number nine at United. For now, the Mancunians continue to be linked with new strikers.

There is an expectation that Delap will move to one of the Premier League’s “Big Six” if he continues to shine, and it is claimed the Red Devils are one of his admirers.

Delap, who has the physicality of an old-school centre-forward, has the potential to become an ideal fit for United. However, The Athletic adds that City could “technically scupper any move elsewhere.”

If United show serious interest, it is not far-fetched to assume that the noisy neighbours wouldn’t sit idle, especially since they put “matching rights or buy-back clauses in most sales.”

Meanwhile, how Ipswich would control Delap’s future may depend on their own fate in England’s top-tier, as relegation to the Championship would have a significant impact on the 21-year-old’s potential fee. He signed a five-year contract at the club upon his summer arrival.

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