As Manchester United prepare to head into the defining game of their season on Wednesday night, a key dilemma for manager Ruben Amorim to contemplate is the centre-forward berth, amid the continued woes of young Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite showcasing flickers of life with goals against Bournemouth and Athletic Club in recent weeks, the 22-year-old has still scored just ten goals in all competitions this season, with just four of those coming in the Premier League.
The Europa League – or European competition in general – has been a welcome solace for the Dane following his £64m switch in 2023, although even his 11 goals on the continent to date should not cloud Amorim’s judgement considering the wretched campaign that the former Atalanta man has endured.
Against Chelsea on Friday night, for instance, the struggling striker won just two of 11 duels and lost the ball on 13 occasions, with there a very real debate to be had over whether the former Sporting CP boss can find a wildcard solution to replace the club’s number nine in Bilbao.
As for the long-term, meanwhile, Hojlund’s woes have indicated that signing an upgrade is essential this summer. On the evidence of recent reports, that work has already begin, amid the speculation surrounding Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Latest on Man Utd's interest in Liam Delap
While a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers man Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to an agreement, the suggestion is that United are also looking to raid the Premier League for young Delap, following an encouraging first campaign in the top-flight.
Despite playing his part in a side that has slipped back into the Championship under Kieran McKenna, the 22-year-old has still managed to rack up 12 league goals thus far, with no player back at Old Trafford even reaching double figures, by contrast.
Reportedly available for just £30m this summer amid the presence of a relegation clause in his contract, the England U21 star represents an affordable option ahead of next term, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell outlining that talks have already been held with the player regarding a move.
As per Whitwell, however, the Red Devils are set to face competition from the likes of Chelsea, with Delap set to engage in negotiations with a number of suitors before making his decision.
The suggestion is that the club could afford to sign both Cunha and the former Manchester City starlet, even if Champions League qualification is not secured. That said, might it be worth stretching the budget just a little further?
Man Utd chasing Delap alternative
Having signed Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in successive summers, the decision to plump for another young striker like Delap could prove another mistake for those at Old Trafford, with the club simply needing to get it right in the centre-forward department.
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According to reports in Spain, the Red Devils are seemingly in the mix for a prolific alternative, amid claims that they are among the Premier League clubs to have made an approach for Sporting sensation, Viktor Gyokeres.
As per the report, while it is Arsenal who remain in the ‘best position’ to sign the 26-year-old, United are said to have emerged as a ‘strong competitor’ of late, amid the forward’s prior relationship with Amorim.
The suggestion is that the former Coventry City man will end up back in England this summer, with Fabrizio Romano having outlined in recent days that he could be available for around €65m (£55m),
That extra £25m, in relation to Delap, would prove worth the investment for a player who could prove to be the next Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Why Gyokeres could be the new Van Nistelrooy
It is not too difficult to argue that not since the days of Van Nistelrooy have United truly had a reliable goalscoring presence at the club, with the clinical Dutchman chalking up 150 goals in 219 games in all competitions, including 95 in just 150 Premier League outings.
Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a then British-record fee of around £19m, having seen a deal collapse a year earlier due to injury, the beloved striker hit the ground running in a United shirt, having scored twice on debut against Fulham.
In truth, the then-24-year-old had picked up where he left off in his homeland, having netted 77 times in just 90 games for PSV, after previous stints with Den Bosch and Heerenveen.
Any fears over whether he could cut it in English football were swiftly eased, with Van Nistelrooy proving that a goalscorer of that ilk can deliver the goods wherever they are plying their trade.
Hopefully, the same can be true of Gyokeres, with the “ball-striking monster” – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – enjoying a similar record to what Ruud recorded at PSV, having netted 96 times in just 101 appearances in Lisbon.
Competition
Games
Goals
Assists
Liga Portugal
33
39
8
Taca de Portugal
6
4
3
Champions League
8
6
0
Allianz Cup
3
4
0
Supertaca
1
0
2
Competition
Games
Goals
Assists
Liga Portugal
33
29
9
Taca de Portugal
6
6
4
Europa League
9
5
2
Allianz Cup
2
3
0
Like Van Nistrelrooy too – who provided 20 assists in Eindhoven, as per Transfermarkt – the former Coventry hero can also create chances for others too when leading the line, having chipped in with 28 assists of his own.
In essence, Gyokeres is the complete striker, possessing that ability to lead the line on his own in impressive fashion, much like Van Nistelrooy was able to do in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 4-5-1 formation in the early 2000s.
The “hottest striker in Europe” right now, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, the one-time Brighton and Hove Albion asset is in simply blistering form. A reunion with Amorim could represent the dream alternative to chasing Delap, even if it comes at a greater cost.
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1 ByDan EmeryMay 19, 2025
