In an ideal world, every Manchester United signing would be a success, but that has rarely been the case over the past decade. Ineos are hoping to address that when they rebuild the squad for Ruben Amorim.
After being appointed Manchester United head coach in November, Ruben Amorim quickly learned that he was working with a squad surplus to requirements.
United made just two additions in the January transfer window, including Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu, but Amorim was not given a new striker even though one was desperately needed.
The Red Devils are crying out for a centre-forward who knows how to find the back of the net. That is not the case with Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, although many will argue that their best years have yet to come.
Realistically, Amorim cannot play the waiting game and needs to find players who can hit the ground running when they join United.
It’s no secret that United are looking for attacking additions after identifying Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap as key targets.
Liam Delap could become Man Utd’s new Mark Hughes
Like Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap could leave Ipswich Town at the end of the summer if United decide to pay his release clause of £30m, once the Tractor Boys experience their inevitable drop to the Championship.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an incredible season on an individual note for Kieran McKenna’s side, scoring 12 goals in 32 Premier League matches. That makes Delap one of the top strikers in England this season and explains how he has become a United target.
Delap has proven he is a powerful forward who boasts an explosive turn of pace, a range of skills, a hunger streak and a thirst for goals. He can lead the line, provide a presence in the final third, and he relishes physical battles with defenders.
However, like Hojlund, Delap is far from the finished product but he has shown this season that he can score goals in the Premier League.
If a deal materialises for Delap, and it goes to plan, United could be looking at their new Mark Hughes. That type of old-school physical striker is hard to find in the modern game and we could also be looking at England’s next No.9, with Harry Kane aged 31, albeit showing no signs of slowing down.
Delap will hope that he can eventually replace Kane as England’s No.9, although he has yet to be given his first England cap. A move to a big club like United should give the promising centre-forward a better chance of achieving that.
After coming through Man City’s academy, Delap has a connection to the blue side of Manchester, much like Hughes, who spent one year as their manager.
Where does Mark Hughes rank among Man Utd top scorers?
Mark Hughes has a sacred place in Manchester United history.
After graduating from United’s academy in 1980, Hughes spent six seasons in the first-team before his transfer to Barcelona.
The Wales international would return to Old Trafford in 1988 under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson before spending a further seven years at the club.
As a United player, Hughes won the Premier League twice, three FA Cups, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup.
Hughes ranks eight in United’s top scorers list ahead of legends like Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo.
| Player | Goals |
| Wayne Rooney | 253 |
| Sir Bobby Charlton | 245 |
| Denis Law | 237 |
| Jack Rowley | 189 |
| George Best | 179 |
| Dennis Voillet | 173 |
| Ryan Giggs | 168 |
| Mark Hughes | 161 |
| Paul Scholes | 155 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 150 |
United fans will be happy if Delap can come to United and score that number of goals.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
