Jamie Carragher has warned Manchester United transfer target Liam Delap he would be far better off joining Everton.
United’s immediate focus may be on Wednesday’s season defining Europa League final against Tottenham, but plans are already afoot to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s woefully underperforming squad.
The Red Devils, regardless of their fate in Bilbao, are set to back their beleaguered manager in the transfer window.
Bolstering a forward line that has mustered just 42 goals represents a major priority given the struggles of Ramus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
United are understood to be making rapid progress in their attempts to sign Mathus Cunha from Wolves, while Delap, who has impressed with relegated Ipswich this season, remains on their radar.
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Chelsea, too, have their sights set on the former Manchester City striker but Carragher believes the 22-year-old would be best advised to move to a club like Everton where he would be an undisputed first choice starter.
‘I don’t think Delap should go to Man United,’ Carragher told Sky Sports when asked about the choice facing a player who has a £30m release clause in his contract.
Man Utd’s unwanted records this season
– United’s eighth-placed finish last season was their worst of the Premier League era but they currently lie 16th and the highest they can finish this season is 14th, if they win their final game and both Wolves and West Ham fail to win.
– They will also finish with their fewest wins and points – a maximum of 11 and 42 respectively if they beat Aston Villa, compared to their previous record lows of 16 wins and 58 points in 2021-22.
– Their 18 defeats are their most of the Premier League era, already four more than last season’s previous worst, while their current eight-match winless league run beats a record of seven set back in 1992.
– They will finish with their lowest Premier League goal tally, barring an improbable seven against Villa to equal their 49 in 2015-16. Only twice have they conceded more than this season’s 54, with 57 in 2021-22 and a record 58 last season.
– Unless Bruno Fernandes scores two goals or Amad Diallo three against Villa, this will be the first Premier League season with no United player reaching double figures.
– United sacked manager Erik ten Hag in October, just four months after extending his contract. Replacement Ruben Amorim has lost as many games as he has won in all competitions, 15, with his 37.5 per cent win rate the worst of any Red Devils manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
‘I just think, like what happened to Hojlund, sometimes, I think, when you’re going from a team who have been relegated to… – I know Man United are 16th, but it’s Man United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, the eyes and ears.
‘I just think that’s such a big step. I know people might say it’s from there (18th) to there (16th) in terms of league position, but Man United are a monster.
‘I do (think he is an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund), but I just think the next step should be something like… Everton – you know you’re going to play every week, you’re going to be the main man, you’re going to be one of the best players in the team.
‘He is the best player in the team at Ipswich, everything goes through him. Go to another club where you’re that for another two years. Then go to Man United or another team in the Champions League, or are trying to compete at that level.’
While Delap’s destination is far from certain, Cunha seems now almost certain to represent the first major signing of Amorim’s tenure.
‘I think he’s a good player,’ said Gary Neville when asked about United’s interest in the Brazil international.
‘Cunha is someone with that level of running ability suits Old Trafford. Delap has a level of potential and ability, but my fear is of the pressure on a young player coming to lead that line for United.
‘We’ve already seen Zirkzee and Hojlund struggle. Ruben Amorim has a specific style of play and it’s quite clear he wants massive upheaval in the squad, and that’s getting players in and getting players out.
‘They need forwards obviously, but they need players in every position. And I think Amorim will want an absolute wipeout of the current squad. And that’s why they’ve had to start early.’