Man Utd concern raised as they risk repeating mistake with striker transfer target

Darren Bent has cast doubt on whether Liam Delap is capable of leading ’s frontline with the former striker turned pundit instead urging Old Trafford chiefs to sign an elder statesman this summer.

Goal shy United are in dire need of a prolific scorer this summer to avoid the embarrassment of a domestic campaign that sees them in the bottom quarter of the table.

And with under fire head coach Ruben Amorim still looking to guide the club to final glory against Hotspur in Bilbao next week with the prize of a spot in next season’s on the line, there is a pressing need for improvements in attack.

But Bent reckons an experienced figure should be the priority to help develop Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish youngster has scored just four goals this season - compared to a dozen for Delap at relegated Ipswich - and Bent feels having two relatively inexperienced men up top would be a mistake.

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“You’re talking about 16 goals between them: four for Rasmus and 12 for Liam,” Bent told talkSPORT.

“Listen, I’m a big fan of his [Delap]. Watching him week in, week out, of course he’s improved so much and the confidence that he’s got in his own ability, the confidence he’s got to go up against anybody. He doesn’t care who it is, he won’t get overawed by anyone.

“What you don’t want is to have two young centre-forwards. This is his first full season in the Premier League.

“To go from Ipswich, who were in the Championship last season, to Manchester United and be expected to lead the line and score the goals…

“It might work. I think he’s got the confidence within himself to do it but there’s going to be dips in his form, goal droughts, and that’s where you need maybe that elder statesman to learn from.”

Delap, who joined Ipswich from last summer, has plenty of admirers with among the other Premier League clubs maintaining a keen interest.

He is expected to depart Portman Road because of a relegation clause of £30m built into his contract. That fee will still see The Tractor Boys double their initial investment of £15m in the all action centre forward.

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