Man Utd’s transfer policy slammed as striker priority revealed: Doomed with Hojlund 2.0!

Robin Bairner

7 Apr 2025 10:00 CDT
3 min read

Rasmus Hojlund, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United’s decision to make Ipswich striker Liam Delap the club’s transfer priority has not been greeted warmly, with claims that the Red Devils are persistently making the same errors in the transfer market.

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Delap has emerged as the Red Devils’ leading candidate ahead of the summer transfer window, according to ESPN.

Current ETV

Liam Delap

F (C), AM (R)

Ipswich Town

Liam Delap

F (C), AM (R)

Ipswich Town

ETV Range

€24.8M - €41.3M

The striker has enjoyed a sparkling debut season in the Premier League, scoring 12 times in 30 games, and that has been sufficient to persuade United to put him top of their transfer shortlist.

Delap is available for €48 million (£40m) if Ipswich are relegated. Manchester City have a buy-back option in his contract for that same price, Pep Guardiola’s side are instead set to cash in on 20% of the profit that the Tractor Boys make as part of the agreement that took the 22-year-old to Portman Road last summer.

United have previously had significant interest in Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP, but with Arsenal now leading this race, Ruben Amorim’s side have started to examine cheaper options.

Man Utd fear another Hojlund

The need for a new striker is evident, with current No.9 Rasmus Hojlund out of form and out of confidence, with just three Premier League goals for the season. But the decision to chase Delap is not one that has been universally greeted by fans, who believe that a more established striker is required at Man Utd after years of disappointments in attack.

“United are not learning from their mistakes, aren't they? Because if this is true then we're doomed. Not saying that Delap is a bad player but without an experienced striker, he's en route to being Hojlund 2.0! I repeat, this is NOT the way... Break the bank and target Victor Osimhen!” one said on X.

This is a common sentiment with regards to Delap.

“Why are we entrusting another young striker to lead us forward? Just go get Osimhen ffs,” another said.

A third added: “Target because of the price. INEOS haven't a clue. Went for Joshua Zirkzee for the same reason, look how good he's been. Patrick Dorgu was signed because of price, poor quality signing.”

Man Utd cannot afford to get their next striker deal wrong, but it appears that fans have little faith that Delap is the player they need.