Manchester United Advances in Talks with Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha
Manchester United executives have held face-to-face talks with 22-year-old striker Liam Delap and are progressing in negotiations with Wolverhampton Wanderers for 25-year-old forward Matheus Cunha, according to a report from _The New York Times_ via its sports publication, _The Athletic_.
Delap, who was given permission by Ipswich Town to travel to Manchester to gauge what a transfer to Old Trafford would entail, has attracted interest from several clubs, including Chelsea. The young striker is expected to engage in meaningful discussions with all suitors before deciding on his next move. As noted by _The Athletic_ , Delap’s £30 million ($40m) release clause, activated by Ipswich’s relegation, has made him an appealing target after he scored 12 goals in his debut Premier League campaign.
Manchester United is also advancing in talks with Cunha, with hopes of striking a deal when the transfer window opens on June 1. Discussions have centred on Cunha’s personal terms, with both parties working towards an agreement. _The Athletic_ reports that United are yet to approach Wolves directly about payment terms on Cunha’s £62.5m release clause, but there is an expectation this stage would be a relative formality. Wolves are open to accepting instalments, as outlined in Cunha’s contract, which stipulates that the fee is to be paid in three instalments.
Manchester United has the financial means to sign both Delap and Cunha, regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, where the winners will secure Champions League football for next season. The club has also considered other options in the forward positions, including Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gykores, and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
According to _The Athletic_ , Delap’s impressive performance at Ipswich Town has made him a coveted target. In analysis by senior data analyst Mark Carey, Delap scored 34 per cent of Ipswich’s league goals, often generating his own chances with limited service from his team-mates. His powerful, driving runs forward have been a hallmark of his season, with a return of 10 non-penalty goals at a rate of one in three.
The publication also notes that Delap’s playing style is reminiscent of a traditional striker, with a desire to get forward and stretch the opposition back line. This is highlighted in Delap’s SkillCorner profile, which denotes his off-ball run types as a share of his total runs made. Runs ahead of the ball or in-behind opposition defences take up a significant amount of Delap’s running.
Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell analysis suggests that Cunha’s familiarity with the No 10 role behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation enhances his appeal for United. Cunha’s record against United inevitably colours perceptions, having terrorised Erik ten Hag’s side when running from midfield on the opening day of the 2023-24 season and scoring direct from a corner past Andre Onana at Molineux this term.
_Cunha’s ball-carrying is an important aspect to consider in an Amorim system. Usually, Amorim has a blend in his No 10s, one a creator, the other tasked with running beyond. Cunha could offer a bit of both, but his ability to go past opponents would add dynamism and, importantly, he can carry a scoring edge._
The potential signing of Cunha and Delap would provide Manchester United with a significant boost, offering new attacking options and increased depth in the squad. As reported by _The Athletic_ , both players have the potential to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford, with Cunha’s ability to play in multiple positions and Delap’s goal-scoring prowess making them attractive targets for the club.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6368115/2025/05/19/liam-delap-manchester-united/
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