Manchester United’s potential XI after transfer window if Ousmane Dembele signs

Donny van de Beek is still Manchester United’s only summer signing at the time of writing - but that’s set to change before the transfer window closes on October 5.

The Red Devils are in talks with several clubs to bring in reinforcements.

According to a report in the Daily Record on Tuesday, per Duncan Castles, United have progressed talks with Barcelona over the transfer of winger Ousmane Dembele.

Man Utd are understood to want Dembele on a season-long loan deal, while Barça would prefer a sale for the France international, who they valued at €100 million.

Dembele has blown hot and cold at Camp Nou over the past three seasons but there’s no doubt the 23-year-old is a quality attacking player.

If the World Cup winner does move to Old Trafford this summer - and if United sign their other top targets before the transfer deadline - how might Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice XI look?

Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson

When Dean Henderson makes his first appearance for Man Utd - possibly as early as Tuesday night against Luton Town in the League Cup - David de Gea will have a job on his hands to win his place back.

The Spaniard has been out of sorts for the best part of two years now and Solskjaer will surely be eager to give Henderson a run of games to see what the 23-year-old can do.

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Timothy Fosu-Mensah struggles against Crystal Palace last weekend showed why Aaron Wan-Bissaka is such an important player for Man Utd right now.

As soon as the tenacious right-back is fit enough to start, he’ll come straight back into Solskjaer’s starting line-up.

Centre-back: Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire needs to step up this season and show why United forked out £80 million for his signature in the first place - especially after Solskjaer kept him as captain despite his high-profile arrest in Greece.

The Englishman requires another top centre-back alongside him in order to flourish.

Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano

And this is where Dayot Upamecano comes in.

Man Utd are set to revive their interest in the RB Leipzig defender in the coming days, which is hardly surprising following the defensive shambles against Palace.

Left-back: Alex Telles

Alex Telles is expected to become Man Utd’s second summer signing, possibly as early as this week.

The Red Devils want to pay a maximum of €25 million for the left-back, who has a €40 million release clause, and will pay him around £75,000-a-week.

Telles will compete with Luke Shaw for the left-back spot.

Midfield: Donny van de Beek

Can Solskjaer fit Van de Beek, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes into the same midfield? The United boss must think so; he surely wouldn’t have signed the Dutchman from Ajax otherwise.

Van de Beek scored on his debut last weekend and will be looking to force his way into Solskjaer’s starting XI as quickly as possible.

Midfield: Paul Pogba

Everyone knows Paul Pogba has incredible ability. His biggest problem is consistency.

In order to cement his status as one of the world’s best midfielders, the Frenchman must produce the goods week-in, week-out for the Red Devils.

Midfield: Bruno Fernandes

Consistency certainly hasn’t been an issue for Bruno Fernandes since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon at the start of the year.

The Portuguese maestro is already a fan favourite at Old Trafford thanks to his talismanic performances during the second half of last season.

Left-wing: Ousmane Dembele

Capable of playing either from the left or the right, Dembele’s position if he signed would depend on whether or not United are successful in the pursuit of their number one target, Jadon Sancho.

If Solskjaer is lucky enough to get both then Dembele would presumably start on the left flank.

Right-wing: Jadon Sancho

Will United finally cough up and meet Borussia Dortmund’s £108 million asking price for Sancho? if they don’t, the England international will stay at Signal Iduna Park until January at the earliest.

Sancho has the potential to be a game-changing signing for the Premier League giants.

Centre-forward: Anthony Martial

And upfront, Solskjaer will need to decide whether Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood is the better option in the centre-forward role.

Martial has played in that position more often than the other two, so the Frenchman would surely get the nod from Solskjaer for the time being.