Ousmane Dembele has yet to start for Barcelona across two league games and the Frenchman has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent days.
Manchester United, who have pursued Jadon Sancho all summer long, have so far struggled to get deals over the line outside of the signing of Donny Van de Beek, and Damien Delaney believes that Dembele is absolutely not the answer for the club.
If the 20-time English champions were to bring in Dembele, it would be a further indication of the board's ineptitude, according to Delaney.
"If Manchester United sign Dembele then they might as well take up residence in the wilderness of mediocrity," he said.
Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona injured during the match FC Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund, of UEFA Champions League, 2019/2020 season, date 5. Camp Nou Stadium. Barcelona, Spain, 27 Nov 2019. (Photo by pressinphoto/Sipa USA)"If they sign him it just shows they have not learned anything over the last number of years in the transfer market."
"If he comes in the door of that football club, I'm not saying he will, but if he comes in for €60 million, even if he comes in on loan, that is a result of suits making football decisions because that guy has been pretty much injured for the guts of two years."
"If Manchester United spend €60 million on him they have no hope."
Dembele's future at Barca
Dembele arrived at Camp Nou in 2016 from Borussia Dortmund for over €100 million, making him one of the world's most expensive signings at the time.
While undoubtedly an outstanding football player with lightning-quick feet, intelligence, and pace, he has struggled to maintain his fitness over the course of the past three years.
With the emergence of budding superstar, Ansu Fati, it looks like his chances at Camp Nou will be limited under Ronald Koeman, who, it should be noted, did indicate the Frenchman would get chances to play this season should he stay in Catalonia.
More Koeman on Dembele: We have a lot of competition in attack. Ansu started the first two games ahead of him. If a player's not happy, they can speak to me. And Ousmane's not said anything to me. If he stays, I'm counting on him and he will get chances to play
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) October 3, 2020
Dembele would add to Manchester United's attack but it would represent a huge gamble for the club who cannot afford another high-profile flop in the market.
Ed Woodward has faced intense scrutiny in recent times as United have struggled to get deals over the line in a timely fashion.
Delaney believes that the board are being dictated to by agents rather than being proactive in their own right.
"Manchester United, it looks like people upstairs, to me, are being swayed by agents. That is the only possible answer."
"Any football club that has a football man or somebody who knows football, if Dembele's agent phoned up saying 'do you want him for €60 million.' Could you imagine Txixi Begiristain [director of football] at Man City taking that phone call, he'd be saying I'm not even going to Pep with that."
"Pep wouldn't even take him on loan."
Manchester United's Donny van de Beek warms up during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.Overall Delaney does feel that United have improved during this transfer window, but they are still some ways from where the club should be.
"It's been an OK transfer window for them. They have improved slightly. Van de Beek makes them a little better and they are going to move out a couple of players so they will probably be a little bit better but as I have said from the very start, I think they are a long way short."
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