A lack of goals is one of many issues plaguing Manchester United this season.
Their attacking play has been toothless, again apparent at the weekend, where they managed just two shots on target in an uneventful derby against Manchester City.
This isn’t anything new at Old Trafford. The post-Alex Ferguson era has seen many high-profile signings in the forward positions, but few triumphs.
Just looking at this season, the two most expensive forward signings in the club’s history—Antony and Jadon Sancho—are out on loan, as is one-time talisman Marcus Rashford.
Bruno Fernandes again leads the way in goals scored, with the sidelined Amad Diallo in second place, despite not playing since February. The forwards fit and available have been lacklustre in that department.
But one player the Red Devils almost acquired back in 2020 is having a career season—finding no such difficulty in putting the ball in the back of the net.
Man Utd almost signed Ousmane Dembele on loan in 2020
According to the Daily Mail, a deadline-day deal for Dembele was in the works back in 2020, when United were exploring options after failing to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona were initially looking to sell to free up cash for Memphis Depay but compromised on a loan deal when United rejected the idea of a permanent move.
The deal fell apart when the Frenchman refused to extend his contract. Letting him leave on loan, only to return with one year left on his contract, would have weakened Barca’s ability to recoup the more than £100m they invested in him back in 2017.
Instead, he remained at the Spanish side. He would miss 52 games over the next three seasons at the Camp Nou, and though he eventually extended his contract in 2022, he would only stay a season longer before moving to PSG.
Dembele tops charts for goals per 90 across Europe
Dembele had a quiet start to life back in France. He made 26 appearances in Ligue 1 last campaign and managed just three goals. This season, however, his 26 appearances have been far more fruitful, scoring 21 times on the way to a (so far) unbeaten league title.
For context, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland are all below .9 goals/90, with Dembele on 1.24
While some may downplay his impact playing for a dominant team in a weaker league, he has shown the same keen eye for goal in the Champions League, with seven in 10 games, including a poacher’s finish against Liverpool, who they would go on to beat on penalties.
Dembele’s standout numbers and team success have thrust him into the Ballon d’Or conversation. The growing feeling is that whoever manages to win the Champions League will be heavily favoured for the Ballon d’Or, and PSG have shown they can compete at the highest level.
Dembele has struggled for fitness in recent seasons and may have only warmed the bench at Old Trafford, but looking at the levels he is now reaching—still only 27—it’s one of those stories that will have United fans pondering what could have been.
The post His Man United deadline day deal fell through in 2020 – now he’s Europe’s most prolific goalscorer appeared first on HITC.
