A proper centre forward will be at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. He won\u2019t be playing in red, though. Indeed, Liam Delap will be leading the line for Ipswich Town having already reached double figures for goals in the Premier League this season. He\u2019s the sort of attacking focal point Manchester United need.<\/p>\n
This season has been a difficult one for United in almost every way. Defensively, they are weak. In midfield, they lack the physicality and technical ability to control games. In attack, though, is where the Old Trafford outfit have struggled the most. They have been one of the worst attacking teams in the division.<\/p>\n
Only Everton and the bottom three have scored fewer goals than Manchester United this season. They rank a lowly 13th for Expected Goals (xG) and Big Chances created. These struggles have been made to look worse as Antony and Marcus Rashford have found form immediately after leaving the club on loan.<\/p>\n
Delap, on the other hand, has surprised many with how comfortable he has looked at Premier League level. While the young striker showcased his potential in the Championship, he only scored eight goals for Hull City last season. Delap has already exceeded that number for Ipswich in the top flight.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just the numbers Delap is putting up, it\u2019s the way he\u2019s leading the line for The Tractor Boys. While Ipswich are probably going to be relegated back to the Championship, their 22-year-old has shown he is more than good enough for the Premier League. He has caused so many problems for opposition sides.<\/p>\n
Physically, Delap plays like an Erling Haaland-lite. He is capable of holding off even the strongest of opponents, but also wants to get turned and running towards goal with the ball at his feet. Delap is strong in the air and is an excellent finisher. He is possibly the best young centre forward in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been saying it to people around the club, he\u2019s improving,\u201d said Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna about his number nine. \u201cHe\u2019s a different beast now to what he was in July and when you see that rate of improvement from a 21-year-old, showing the increased maturity that he is, the desire he\u2019s showing to improve, that\u2019s a really positive sign at 21.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite only arriving at Portman Road last summer, Delap might not be at Ipswich Town for much longer. The 22-year-old has been linked with Chelsea who are believed to be admirers of Delap. Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential suitors such is their trouble in finding a reliable number nine.<\/p>\n
Rasmus Hojlund has had the opportunity to prove his worth under Ruben Amorim. The Dane joined Manchester United from Atalanta for \u00a372m two years ago, but has regressed in that time. He has found the back of the net just twice in 21 league appearances this season and is lacking as a focal point. Hojlund can\u2019t hold up the ball, nor can be burst in behind.<\/p>\n
The season-ending injury to Amad Diallo hasn\u2019t helped Manchester United\u2019s attacking productivity. The 22-year-old had been United\u2019s best forward player, but will now play no further part in the Premier League campaign. Nonetheless, Hojlund needs to offer more in attack even if he is lacking top-level teammates around him.<\/p>\n
Delap doesn\u2019t have top-level teammates at Ipswich Town, yet he has still delivered consistently. Maybe the 22-year-old will one day end up at Old Trafford as Manchester United\u2019s new number nine, but for the time being Delap has the opportunity this week to show Amorim exactly what he\u2019s missing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A proper centre forward will be at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. He won\u2019t be playing in red, though. Indeed, Liam Delap will be leading the line for Ipswich Town having already reached double figures for goals in the Premier League this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":54847,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[643],"tags":[272],"class_list":["post-57129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-featurehome"],"yoast_head":"\n