The truth about Manchester United transfer 'interest' in Liam Delap cannot be ignored

Remember Rory Delap, the no-nonsense midfielder who played for Stoke and could launch a throw-in further than a large yacht? His son is being linked with Manchester United.

Liam Delap started his career at Derby County and eventually joined Manchester City's academy. The 22-year-old made his first-team debut at the Etihad and was sent on three different loans before a permanent deal was agreed for a fee in the region of £20million with Ipswich Town last summer.

City academy coaches believed Delap had the attributes to develop into a top Premier League striker, and he has impressed by scoring ten goals in the topflight this season for Ipswich.

Delap's physique, pace and power make him a handful for defenders and he's reached double digits in a struggling Ipswich side which looks destined to be relegated to the Championship.

Ipswich have struggled for points in their first season back competing in the big time, but Delap has taken to it like a duck to water. His loans with Championship clubs Stoke, Preston and Hull prepared him for the Premier League and it's not been a surprise to see reports about his future.

Kieran McKenna will be desperate to keep Delap if Ipswich are relegated because he could fire them back up at the first time of asking, which only a handful of clubs have managed.

It's almost impossible for a relegated side to keep their best talent, though. The vultures in the Premier League are guaranteed to circle and Delap will be hot property this summer.

He is a young English player who knows how to find the back of the net. That increases his market value and City certainly knew what they were doing when they inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause when Delap transferred to Ipswich.

The feeling is Delap will be