Opinion: Why Europa League Final Could Decide United’s Future

Manchester United are looking to win the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League title to seal their place in the UEFA Champions League next season. This could play an important role in their aspirations to sign Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap.

Manchester United Leading Race for Ipswich Town Striker Liam Delap

What Must United Do to Sign Delap?

Sky Sports have reported that the Red Devils are actually in pole position to sign the 22-year-old striker in the 2025 summer transfer window. This comes after it was reported that United’s executives had held face-to-face talks with Delap to convince him of the move.

It’s also added by Sky Sports that the Englishman would be “happy to move to Old Trafford this summer” after enjoying a prolific 2024/25 Premier League campaign. However, it’s stated that his final decision over a possible move to the Red Devils will be swayed on whether they can qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League, which can only be done if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Sky Sports states that this is because Newcastle United and Chelsea are also interested in signing the 22-year-old forward. It’s also claimed that the Magpies are ready to sign Delap irrespective of what happens to Alexander Isak in the future. It’s been reported that Delap has a £30 million release clause and has been tracked by Eddie Howe for a number of years.

What Can Delap Bring to United?

The Ipswich Town forward enjoyed a prolific campaign with the Hatters after joining them in the 2024 summer window from Manchester City. Even though Ipswich ended up being relegated to the Championship, Delap ended up scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 36 appearances for them so far.

The 22-year-old has double the number of goals Rasmus Hojlund (six) has managed in the Premier League this season. In fact, Delap has more goals than Hojlund and the Red Devils’ 2024 summer window signing Joshua Zirkzee (nine combined) managed in the entire league campaign. Delap has proven himself as a prolific goal scorer and someone who can bully defenders with his physicality, link-up play and movement. The Englishman is a proactive striker, who can significantly improve Manchester United’s goal-scoring threat if they’re able to sign him.

If the club wants to back Amorim and provide him with a physical goalscorer like he had at Sporting then they must sign Delap. But to do that, the squad will have to get past the Lilywhites in the Europa League final to seal the deal for the Ipswich marksman.