Man Utd new targets identified but 'could face' Liam Delap-style setback again

United are reportedly tracking Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest's rising talent Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace's forward-middle option Adam Wharton. All three are considered prime targets in the club's plans for a deeper rebuild.

Reliable reporter Ben Jacobs has described Wharton's situation as similar to Delap's, noting the potential transfer depends heavily on United securing Champions League football.

"Carlos Baleba is in many ways a dream target for Manchester United," Jacobs told The United Stand. "Adam Wharton is more in that category, like Liam Delap, who wants to leave for Champions League football, so if Manchester United can get that this season, they'd be in a stronger position."

The push for fresh recruits comes in the wake of a chaotic previous window. United reworked their frontline after a dismal 2024/25 season, bringing in five new players and saying goodbye to Alejandro Garnacho, yet several of their top targets opted for other clubs. Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, long linked with a reunion under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, instead joined Arsenal in a bid to fight for the Premier League title.

United also believed they were in the running for Delap after his impressive season with Ipswich Town in the Premier League. But the 22-year-old joined Chelsea in a thirty-million-pound deal, reportedly because he prioritised Champions League football after Ipswich's relegation.

United's failure to qualify, especially after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, proved costly.

With United currently trailing the top four, their ability to land their preferred targets could once again hinge on their final league position.

Delap's early struggles at Chelsea underline the risk. He has scored just once in eight appearances, a far cry from the 13 goals he notched in 46 games for Ipswich last season. It seems unlikely he will reach double figures in his debut year in west London.

Meanwhile, United's new striker Benjamin Sesko remains under scrutiny, supporters and staff alike continue to assess whether he can hit the ground running in the Premier League under Amorim's watch.