‘Liam Delap auditions to leave Ipswich for Man United in Old Trafford clash’
Liam Delap is treating Ipswich Town’s clash against Man United as an audition for a move to Old Trafford, according to Tim Sherwood.
The Man City academy graduate has experienced an incredible first full season in the top flight, notching 10 goals and two assists before facing the Red Devils on 26 February.
Despite this, the Tractor Boys are sitting five points inside the Premier League relegation zone, with Wolves the closest team to them in terms of climbing out of the dropzone.
It is an extremely difficult task for Kieran McKenna to avoid relegation in his first season in the Premier League, but if the club are not careful, their best players could be poached in the summer.
It has already been suggested that Ipswich will be “forced” to let Delap leave if they are playing Championship football again, with Chelsea as one of the teams interested.
Man United must keep an eye on Liam Delap
Speaking via Sky Sports’ Soccer Special [26 February, 7.22pm], Sherwood said: “You’re playing for a lesser side in the Premier League, Liam Delap’s a good example for me, because I think if Ipswich are not in the Premier League next year he certainly needs to be.
“So you’ve got to be auditioning every time you play, like Delap tonight against Man United, he’s got to be auditioning to be the number nine for Man United, and he’s capable of being that in my opinion.
“So it’s an added incentive, not that you’re gonna go out and tell your teammates that you’re playing to get away from the football club, but I’ve done it. I’ve been to clubs where I think ‘I’d like to come here’.
“You turn it on, you give a little bit extra.”
He will need to do much better in the second half, though. A Sam Morsy own goal and Matthijs de Ligt have been enough to undo Jaden Philogene’s early work at Old Trafford, although Patrick Dorgu’s red card opened the door for the winger to equalise just before the break, scoring with a cross.
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have been warned
Football Insider verdict
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have both been heavily criticised at Man United this season, with Ruben Amorim struggling to get the best out of his players.
Delap’s performances, however, have been setting off alarm bells elsewhere in the Premier League, and he would certainly be good enough to replace the aforementioned duo.
| Zirkzee + Hojlund (Premier League G+A) | Delap (Premier League G+A) |
| Goals – 5 | Goals – 10 |
| Assists – 1 | Assists – 2 |
Richard Keys believes Amorim already has eyes on the Man United exit doors, and unless he is backed in the summer transfer market, it could be a very short tenure at Old Trafford.
The striker duo might not be too far behind the Portuguese manager should they continue playing as they are, and it could get even worse should other clubs come knocking for their biggest stars.
Bruno Fernandes’ potential Man United exit ahs been discussed, especially if the Red Devils miss out on European football ahead of next season.
It remains to be seen what would currently attract Delap to Old Trafford, but it would be slightly better than slipping back down to the Championship.