Manchester United 'forced to shelve plans to sign Ousmane Dembele'

Manchester United could reportedly be forced to put their pursuit of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele on hold due to Ansu Fati's injury.

The Red Devils were tipped to move for Dembele over the summer, with the Frenchman seen as an ideal alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, but a deal did not materialise and Dembele remained in Catalonia.

However, the winger's troubles at Camp Nou have continued this season and Dembele has struggled for a regular spot in the starting lineup under Ronald Koeman, but the 23-year-old's situation may be about to change in the wake of Fati's serious injury.

The teenage protege is understood to be facing a four-month spell on the sidelines with a meniscus tear, and according to Sport, Dembele will be a regular starter for Barcelona until Fati recovers.

As a result, any chances of United striking a deal for Dembele during the January transfer window are incredibly slim, although the report claims that the Red Devils are likely to reignite their interest next summer.

Dembele is under contract at Camp Nou until 2022, and with the former Dortmund man seemingly in no rush to pen fresh terms, the Catalan giants could be open to a summer sale in order to avoid losing him for nothing.