How Manchester United could line up with Jadon Sancho, Moussa Dembele

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 15 February 2020

Amid reports linking Manchester United with big-money summer moves for Jadon Sancho and Moussa Dembele, Sports Mole looks at how the Red Devils could line up next season.

Despite still being more than four months away from clubs being able to buy players again, the rumour mill continues to churn out speculation on a daily basis.

As one of the biggest clubs in world football, Manchester United are naturally and regularly linked with high-profile players, and reports in recent days suggest that they could be in for a big-spending summer.

Ed Woodward himself has admitted that it will be an important transfer window for the 20-time champions as they look to bridge the gap to Liverpool and establish themselves as one of English football's major forces once again.

The future of Jadon Sancho has dominated the headlines in recent days, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly resigned to losing the 19-year-old this summer should any of his many suitors meet the £100m asking price.

Moussa Dembele has also seemingly been given the green light to leave Lyon if his price tag is met, which United are considering given their desire to bolster their attacking ranks.

Moves for both players - particularly Sancho - could hinge on whether United are able to secure Champions League football next season, although their hopes of doing that were boosted by neighbours Manchester City being banned from Europe for the next two seasons.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could line his side up should both players move to Old Trafford.

From the dearth of attacking options which prompted the frantic scramble for a striker on transfer deadline day, Solskjaer could suddenly have an embarrassment of riches in the final third should these two transfers occur.

Odion Ighalo - the man who came in on that chaotic deadline day - is unlikely to stay beyond the end of his six-month loan deal unless he proves to be a major hit at Old Trafford, particularly if Dembele were to arrive to create further competition.

The Frenchman is yet to make his senior international debut but could expect to lead the line ahead of compatriot Anthony Martial, who has also found himself in the international wilderness since winning the last of his 18 caps in 2018.

Dembele has directly contributed to 25 goals in 36 games this season, scoring 19 and creating six more, which is a better return than Martial's figures of 12 goals and five assists in 28 outings across all competitions.

Martial has arguably been facing tougher opposition in the Premier League than Dembele has in Ligue 1, but he does have the benefit of being more versatile than Dembele and could find himself moving back out to the wings should the latter come in.

That said, there will also be stiff competition out wide should Sancho also join, with the 19-year-old guaranteed to start given not only his stats but also the price tag he is likely to carry with him.

The England international fits with Solskjaer's desire to bring in young and quick talent who can hit teams on the counter-attack, and he is increasingly potent in the final third with 16 goals and 17 assists in just 30 appearances this season.

Marcus Rashford is currently injured but is another shoo-in when fit, although even he cannot match Sancho's figures having scored 19 goals and registered five assists in 31 outings before his injury.

With January arrival Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings from the number 10 role, that trio behind the striker have had a direct hand in a whopping 86 goals this season, leaving the likes of Daniel James, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard little hope of featuring regularly in the starting XI.

Behind them, the future of Paul Pogba continues to be shrouded in uncertainty, with his agent Mino Raiola suggesting earlier this week that the Frenchman would be interested in a return to Juventus.

It may be that United need to cash in on the World Cup winner in order to afford such a summer spending spree, but if he stays then he remains a certain starter when fit, while Scott McTominay was forming an impressive partnership alongside him before suffering an injury of his own.

Fred and Nemanja Matic provide further competition for midfield spots and both have enjoyed a resurgence in form recently, leaving Solskjaer with plenty of depth in both midfield and attack.