Manchester United are in a rut and no doubt just wish to see the back of the torrid 2024/25 campaign.
Make no mistake, the Red Devils have arrived at a critical juncture. In fact, this could be the most important transfer window in many years, for Ruben Amorim’s side are languishing in the Premier League’s 16th spot with one game to go, no European football after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
United are at a low ebb, but they will bounce back. However, INEOS need to prove they are capable of overcoming adversity, and on the transfer front, it looks like Old Trafford are going to struggle to wield the same kind of transfer power given their current malaise.
Well, that’s actually debatable. Financially, Amorim’s side have taken a big blow, but their ability to draw the most talented players is very much still there.
Matheus Cunha would attest to that.
The latest on Matheus Cunha to Man Utd
Though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expecting his club to make sales this summer, he’s also gearing up to reinforce several areas of the field, and scoring more goals is one of the most pressing demands.
Cunha will spearhead the hopeful resurgence.
Despite interest from other clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa and more besides from the Saudi Pro League, the Wolverhampton Wanderers star has his heart set on a move to the Theatre of Dreams, as per Sky Sports, with United’s failure to win the Europa League not expected to prevent them from triggering his £62.5m release clause.
Wolves’ Brazilian forward is versatile and deadly, through his goalscoring ability, steely athleticism, and creative flair.
Wolves have made steady gains through the campaign, but Cunha has provided an invariably reliable service (suspensions aside). The 25-year-old has even been described as an “absolutely sensational” player when it comes to his intelligence and decision-making by pundit Micah Richards.
Matches (starts)
32 (18)
Goals
15
Assists
2
Shots (on target)*
3.2 (1.3)
Big chances missed
2
Pass completion
79%
Big chances created
13
Key passes*
1.8
Dribbles*
1.9
Ball recoveries*
3.8
Tackles + interceptions*
1.6
Duels won*
5.6
Cunha is a brilliant player, but he alone cannot solve Amorim’s crisis. Indeed, Rasmus Hojlund has fallen by the wayside, and a replacement is needed.
Man Utd leading race for new striker
Hojlund is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer and is already attracting interest from Italy. This leaves Man United in a good position to sign Liam Delap, whose £30m release clause with Ipswich Town became active upon their relegation from the Premier League last month.
And according to Football Insider, United actually lead Chelsea in the race for the 22-year-old, with reports from elsewhere suggesting the Blues are focusing on Brighton’s Joao Pedro.
Everton are also in talks to sign the Englishman, but Football Insider believe United have the lead over the Toffees too to sign the England U21 international in the upcoming summer transfer window.
With Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna confirming his talisman is set to leave this summer, United are perfectly poised to complete a deal for a talented new striker, and for an affordable fee at that.
Why Liam Delap would succeed at Man United
Delap has passed his first test at top-flight level with flying colours, on an individual basis, at least. Having played 36 times in the Premier League, the striker has scored 12 goals, providing two assists to boot.
This is a bit of a double-edged boost for United fans, but Delap has already proven himself capable as a prolific goalscorer in a Premier League relegation battle.
That’s not to say Amorim has ever been dragged into an actual scrap for a place in next year’s edition, but Man United are set for their worst-ever Premier League finish and have suffered through many devastating losses across the campaign.
Delap is a clinical shooter, but he’s also athletic and powerful, eager to split through defences and make a menace of himself. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 13% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Cunha must be licking his lips. Let’s peer back at the Brazilian’s performance in the Premier League this season. If we recall, he might have scored loads of goals, only missing a smattering of chances, but creativity has also been part of his core quality.
Joint-sixth among Premier League forwards for big chances created this season and having also averaged 1.8 key passes per game, Cunha would be an almighty addition to a United side lacking in characters who can make things happen.
Hailed for his “incredible talent” by BBC Sport’s Alex Howell, Delap would be more than happy to finish sequences off clinically, but he’d need support and Bruno Fernandes can’t do it all on his own, if the skipper is even plying his trade at the club next season, with Al Hilal and more interested in securing his signature.
After missing just ten big chances in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, he’s underlined his clinical credentials and, moreover, his superiority over Man United’s Hojlund, whose four-goal return has also seen him miss six big chances.
Signing Premier League-proven forwards to enhance Amorim’s system is exactly what United need to be doing if they are to get themselves back on the right track.
There’s a long road ahead, but the Red Devils have the chance to showcase a new strategy that could breed sustainable long-term success. It’s been a terrible term, all right, but it’s time for this great club to turn a corner.
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