Manchester United already have one eye on the summer transfer window when signing a new striker will be among the most important priorities for Ineos and Ruben Amorim
Manchester United are preparing to face Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday following their goalless draw in the Manchester Derby. Both sides drew a blank in a disappointing showing at Old Trafford on Sunday, but United still have plenty to play for.
With Ruben Amorim’s side sat 13th in the Premier League, their Europa League campaign has taken on even greater significance. If they can get past Lyon and win the semi-final and final of the competition, then a place in next season’s Champions League awaits for United.
While that is still a tall order for a team who continue to struggle for consistency, it is the only plausible route back into the big time for Amorim. The Portuguese coach has already got one eye on the summer transfer window, where the club are plotting the much-needed major overhaul.
A striker is just one of the positions that desperately needs to be addressed and there is news on that front in the latest headlines from Mirror Football.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim gets £9m Man Utd boost ahead of summer transfer windowREAD MORE: Four Man Utd summer signings would cost £230m as Rio Ferdinand agrees with Gary Neville
Four-man striker shortlist
Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap is at the top of Manchester United ’s transfer wishlist this summer, it has been claimed. Delap has scored 12 goals in 30 Premier League matches for the Tractor Boys this season and their pending relegation to the Championship will trigger a release clause in his contract.
The 22-year-old striker will become available for £40million and he is the club’s number one target, ahead of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Osimhen is on loan at Galatasaray currently and has just 18 months left on his Napoli deal. Gyokeres worked under Amorim at Sporting and has a remarkable 44 goals in 44 games this season, while Ekitike has managed 19 at Frankfurt.
Controversial tour confirmed
Manchester United will be heading out to Hong Kong and Malaysia after the Premier League season ends. They will fly out to Kuala Lumpur straight after their last domestic game on May 25 before playing against ASEAN All Stars on May 28.
The two-match tour will reportedly earn United £10m, with chief executive Omar Berrada mentioning the “significant additional revenue” it will drive in the press release. All the club’s biggest stars will be expected to jet out to the Far East to satisfy sponsors and the fans.
It comes despite increased concerns among players and experts about burnout and injuries – and environmental commitments. Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has emphasised the need to drive more revenue and suggested the club could have gone bust in the winter without his widespread cost-cutting.
Scholes reflects on villain role
United legend Paul Scholes is worried that he is painting himself as a villain through his continued criticism of his former club. Scholes says he only works on United matches these days, due to his interest in their progress, but has had little to compliment them on in recent years.
“Ever since I’ve started doing it, it’s not been great (United’s performances),” he said on The Overlap Fan Debate. “I don’t think I saw them win for a long time, and you look terrible having a go at your club when that’s the club you played for, for 20 years – it’s the last thing you want.
“It’d be so easy if you were a Manchester City player for the last 10 years. Where we are now, it makes you look like a bit of a villain.”
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