Man Utd scouting Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool targets during international break | OneFootball

Manchester United are expected to use this international break to gather more information on a pair a young striker targets, both of whom have already been linked with rivals clubs.

United require improvement all over the pitch after a disappointing season and up front has been identified as an area to recruit.

Ruben Amorim seems more set on using Joshua Zirkzee as an attacking midfielder now, which is helping to unlock the Dutchman's potential after previously struggling as a 'number nine'. It leaves Rasmus Hojlund with minimal competition or support as the only true striker in the senior squad, although the progression of 17-year-old compatriot Chido Obi offers promise.

With United looking for options that are not the finished product and those which offer long-term development potential, the Daily Mail writes that the club will have scouting eyes on Friday night's Under-21 international between England and France.

The players they want to take a look at are Liam Delap and Hugo Eikitike.

Delap has scored ten Premier League goals so far this season – more than anyone at United – and individually accounts for more than a third of a struggling Ipswich Town's output. But Chelsea are also rumoured to be keeping tabs on his progress and potential availability.

The 22-year-old talent, son of former Premier League midfielder Rory Delap, had previously been at Manchester City from the age of 16 and cost Ipswich an initial £15m last summer. The Suffolk club's probable relegation will likely see Delap move on, although a strong performance at this summer’s Under-21 European Championship with England could help Ipswich inflate their asking price.

Hugo Ekitike is thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt / Simon Hofmann/GettyImages

As for Ekitike, he has successfully got his career back on track since joining Eintracht Frankfurt, having seen his opportunities limited following a high profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was heavily courted by Newcastle United earlier in his career and, thanks to his resurgent form in Germany, has appeared on the radars of Arsenal and Liverpool as a cheaper alternative to the much talked about Alexander Isak.

Ekitike has scored 13 goals in the Bundesliga this season and English suitors will get a chance to see how he fares against a Premier League defence next month when Frankfurt face Tottenham Hotspur over two legs in the Europa League quarter-finals.