Personally I wanted to sign Either Isak or Gyokeres but Ruben Amorim preferred another striker and I can’t oppose him”: Man United’s owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe names the only striker Ruben Amorim told him to sign at all costs this summer

Manchester United have identified their priority target to bolster the centre-forward department, according to ESPN.

The Red Devils have misfired in the final third this campaign. They have netted just 37 goals in 31 Premier League games.

Manager Ruben Amorim may want a fresh solution. ESPN claim that Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is the top striker target for United.

Delap has netted 12 league goals since joining Ipswich from Manchester City for £20 million last summer.

He can be signed for £40m (relegation release clause) if the Tractor Boys are relegated, which is expected to happen soon.
Manchester City have a buy-back clause for the same fee, but they have no plans to re-sign him.

With Erling Haaland’s nine-year contract extension, the club will unlikely consider a reunion with Delap.

Pep Guardiola’s side will receive 20 percent of the profit secured from Delap’s move away from Ipswich.

Delap has emerged as United’s no.1 striker target ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko amid budget constraints.
United prepared to trust Delap’s early potential
The 22-year-old has had a superb breakthrough campaign in the English top flight.

He has netted 12 goals and provided two assists from 30 league appearances this term.
Delap is more of a traditional striker. He has caught the eye with his strong physical presence upfront.

He has also impressed with his hold-up play and ability to win ground and aerial duels.

Delap is not known for his ball-playing ability, but he makes up for the same with his positioning.

The striker has a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 20 percent which is hugely impressive.

Based on his early potential, he would be an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

The duo have netted just six league goals between them in the current campaign.

Delap has adapted much better to the league’s intensity and physicality.

He could register 20 or more league goals per season with better creativity around him.

That’s a very interesting twist in Manchester United’s striker hunt—**Liam Delap** being identified as the **No.1 centre-forward target** over established names like **Viktor Gyökeres**, **Victor Osimhen**, and **Benjamin Šeško** is bold but potentially very strategic.

Here are the key takeaways from this situation:

### **Why Liam Delap is United’s Priority**
– **Age & Potential**: At 22, Delap fits INEOS’s focus on young, high-upside talents.
– **Premier League-Proven**: 12 goals in 30 matches for a struggling Ipswich side is impressive—especially considering United have only 37 in 31 games *as a team*.
– **Physical Profile**: Delap has a strong build, thrives in duels, and is a classic No.9—something United haven’t had since peak Lukaku.
– **Shot Conversion Rate (20%)**: That stat alone makes him one of the most clinical young strikers in England.

### **Why Over Osimhen, Gyökeres, Šeško?**
– **Budget Constraints**: Delap has a **£40m release clause** if Ipswich are relegated—a bargain compared to:
– Osimhen (£110m release clause),
– Gyökeres (€100m clause),
– Šeško (now leaning towards staying at Leipzig).
– **Lower Risk**: Unlike Osimhen (injury-prone) or Gyökeres (unproven in the Premier League), Delap is already showing he can thrive in England.

### **The Manchester City Angle**
– **Buy-Back Clause**: Yes, City have one—but reports say **they’re not interested** due to Haaland’s long-term future.
– **Sell-On Clause**: City will earn 20% of any profit, meaning United’s payment benefits their rivals a little—but it may be worth it.

### **Tactical Fit**
– Under a possible **Ruben Amorim** setup (if he becomes manager), Delap could serve as a direct target man with quick wide players like Garnacho and Rashford around him.
– His hold-up play can allow midfielders like Mainoo, Mount, or potentially Eze (if signed) to join attacks late.

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If United secure Delap for £40m, it would mark a **smart, low-risk investment with big upside**, especially considering how ineffective the current forward line has been. Want me to break down how Delap and Hojlund might complement or compete with each other next season in a tactical setup?