AFCON 2025
Former England internationals, Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch have weighed in on the ongoing discussion as to who is the better solution to Man United’s striker problems between Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap.
Crouch, who scored 106 goals and provided 61 assists in 468 Premier League games, admitted he’d pick Osimhen over Ipswich Town’s Delap solely based on the experience of the Napoli loanee.
“I think he’s proved he [Delap] is a Premier League striker. The only thing is it’s just a season. The other is Osimhen.
“The only difference is that Osimhen has been doing it for a long time, and Delap is just in his first season. As much as I like him as a top player, I do understand that if it’s one or the other, I’ll go with Osimhen because you know what you’re going to get.
“With Osimhen, he’s proven. A striker can change the dynamics of the game and go on to win games you never expected to win,” the former Stoke City striker said on the Rio Presents Podcast.
Reiterating Crouch’s thoughts, Ferdinand admitted that he is not sure if Delap is the right type of striker that Man United needs.
“Forget Delap’s ability, potential, whatever you want to say about him,” he said.
“His quality as a player, it’s not about that right now for Man United. Hojlund needs help. He doesn’t need a competitor.
“You need someone who can come in, who he can go, ‘Listen, take the pressure off me. You’re going to be the main guy. I’m going to learn a little bit in the background and take my chances when they come.’”
The two strikers have had a stellar campaign so far with Osimhen leading the line as Galatasaray chase the Turkish league title. Delap has been influential for Ipswich Town in the Premier League season despite their current position on the table.
