Can't Get Sancho, Manchester United Chase Dembele

JAKARTA - Manchester United have turned their target to Ousmane Dembele after failing to get England international Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

The Red Devils have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona to borrow the 23-year-old winger.

Dembele had scanty playing time at the Nou Camp last season, making only nine appearances in all competitions as he continues to be ridden with injuries.

The French passport player's value has plummeted at Barca since he joined in 2017, initially hitting £ 96.8 million.

The player's attitude and time management have also not helped him to find more playing time at Barcelona in the past after he came to training several times late.

This season alone, Dembele has been late training more than once since Ronald Koeman was appointed coach in the summer, with the most recent of which he did on Monday.

Dembele played in Barca's La Liga opener at the weekend, playing 20 minutes as a substitute in his club's 4-0 win over Villarreal.

Koeman seems to prefer another player in Dembele's position, and the Dutchman has invited the player to find a new club if he wants to leave.

"I will count on him, he was very good during the first few weeks, he had a dip last week," Koeman said of Dembele's future.

"He trained well today and I'm counting on him. However, this is a decision of the club and the players."

United are desperately trying to strengthen their side before the transfer window closes at the start of next week with Donny van de Beek currently their only new player in the transfer window this summer.