Manchester United's transfer priority has become clear after £30m snub - they must get it right

When news broke yesterday of Liam Delap's desire to join Chelsea, as opposed to Manchester United, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

United's interest in the England under-21 international was widely known after the Manchester Evening News first reported it last month.

The 22-year-old was United's top striker target and the man they were pinning their hopes on next season to revive their fortunes in front of goal.

After all, Delap managed 12 Premier League goals for an Ipswich Town side that were relegated with four games still to spare this season, as opposed to United forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee only managing seven league goals combined.

United were always well aware they were not along in their pursuit of Delap. Newcastle United and Everton were also among his suitors but it was Chelsea, fresh from qualifying for the Champions League and winning the UEFA Conference League, who have managed to convince him his future is best served at Stamford Bridge.

Delap was a player well known to Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada given he emerged through Man City's youth system during their time at the club.

United had hoped to secure the double signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Delap early in the transfer window.

With Cunha, who will play in one of the attacking midfield roles in Ruben Amorim's system, looking set to seal his £62.5million move to Old Trafford imminently, signing a new centre forward is now United's ultimate priority this summer.

After Delap's snub, United chiefs must move to Plan B and whether they move for a young forward in the same mould or a more proven option in the Victor Osimhen or Dusan Vlahovic mould remains to be seen.

But for a club who only managed to score a meagre 44 league goals