PA Images/Alamy Images

Ruben Amorim and Co. unconvinced by Manchester United summer target

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Arindam Talukdar | Last updated May 20, 2025 5:13 PM ET

Ruben Amorim remains unconvinced by Manchester United’s pursuit of Liam Delap

Manchester United are just one win away from lifting the Europa League, a triumph that would not only secure Champions League qualification but also provide a significant financial boost ahead of the summer transfer window.

Now full of confidence as favourites for the title, United have stepped up their recruitment efforts. Sources at the club have confirmed to TBR Football that they held talks with Liam Delap over the past week.

Led by Jason Wilcox, United’s football operations team is actively pushing ahead with summer plans, with a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha reportedly nearing completion.

Manchester United are making a strong push to sign a second attacking option this summer, with Liam Delap emerging as the frontrunner to join the club.

Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to impress under Ruben Amorim, prompting the club to prioritise the signing of a new number nine. According to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, United are actively working on a deal for Delap , and the striker is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford over Chelsea.

Amorim and the staff are not convinced by Delap

Reports are rising which state that Manchester United’s hierarchy have met with Liam Delap, who they are targeting for the number nine role. The 22-year-old striker is enjoying his first Premier League season, scoring 12 goals in 35 appearances for Ipswich Town.

Delap’s £30 million release clause is seen as relatively cheap, and the club is able to trigger that. But coach Ruben Amorim and the coaching staff are not sold on this idea. The Portuguese boss doesn’t believe a less experienced striker would be as beneficial to the team. Amorim wants to bring in a more experienced striker to lead the team, to target players like Viktor Gyökeres, who he previously coached and the ultimate powerhouse of a striker, Victor Osimhen.

Manchester United have already paid the price for signing inexperienced strikers, as seen with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, the latter only recently beginning to show improvement. Bringing in Delap would be another gamble for the Red Devils.

The argument holds firm, Delap has only one season of Premier League experience under his belt and couldn’t help his club avoid relegation. Perhaps Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff are right to have doubts. With a major summer overhaul on the horizon, Manchester United must prioritise a complete revamp of both midfield and defence. With Matheus Cunha already about to be secured, the club would be wise to hold off on Delap and instead target a more proven, experienced striker to lead the line.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: