For the entire duration of the summer, Manchester United fans have been crying out for one man: Jadon Sancho. However, it now looks as if they won’t get their man. As an alternative, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly turned to injury-plagued Barcelona outcast Ousmane Dembele.
And according to Fabrizio Romano, official talks have already begun between the two clubs.
REPORT: United Make Official Dembele Bid
Career Hampered by Injuries
Ever since Dembele joined Barcelona in 2017 for a record-breaking fee, he’s been the typical “next year” player. This means that every single year, he has moments where he looks on the cusp of a breakthrough. Unfortunately, it also means that every single year, that breakthrough is nullified.
More often than not, it has been injuries that have derailed his career. Just two matches after his very promising debut, he injured his hamstring and was out for four months. After he finally returned, he got injured again, this time out for one month.
It’s like football’s best impression of Groundhog Day, the same exact situation all over again. When Dembele is fully fit and fresh, he shows promise in a few starts, and then inevitably, gets injured. The process then restarts once he recovers from the injury.
It’s so unfortunate for a player who has the capability to be world-class, but injuries are simply a part of his career now. If United do end up signing him, they’ll be taking a massive gamble on his fitness record.
Two-Footed Superstar
A lot of what Dembele brings to the table stems from his ability with both feet. That ability is crucial for a professional footballer because it always keeps the opponent guessing. The defender can’t force you one way because you have no way, both sides are equally capable of hurting the opposing team.
Dembele’s potential future teammate Mason Greenwood shares that same attribute, which has contributed to his impressive goalscoring record.
The sight of Dembele linking up with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes should be a mouthwatering prospect for United fans. He’s fit and firing for the start of this season, but he is certainly a gamble. However, it may be one worth taking for the Red Devils.
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