Liam Delap offers Manchester United £40m transfer solution to Ruben Amorim's biggest problem

There are many reasons behind Manchester United's disastrous season which you could debate into the small hours of the night, but sometimes football really is as simple as putting the ball in the back of the net.

United have only managed that feat 37 times in the Premier League in 2024/25, outscoring just five other teams; three of whom are destined for relegation. After United's dour Manchester derby draw with City on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes said: "The killer instinct was missing but we created a lot of chances." He could have said that after most matches this season.

It should come as no surprise to see a striker top of Ruben Amorim's summer transfer wish list, and Liam Delap has been strongly linked with a potential £40million move from Ipswich Town. Delap has been a shining light for Ipswich despite their likely relegation, with 12 top-flight goals representing great business after a £20m switch from Man City last summer.

United have also been linked with Victor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike, though ESPN reports that Delap is now their No1 summer striker target. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why former City chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox would be keen on a former City wonderkid at a reasonable price, but United also have to be realistic these days given their perilous finances.

The fact of the matter is that United can neither afford nor attract the world's best forwards any longer; Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitting as much when he suggested soon after Ineos' takeover that the club's transfer model needed be finding "the next Mbappe" rather than signing the actual one.

Now nobody is saying that Delap is the next Mbappe, but with a £40m relegation clause set to become active