Dembélé, the French forward who has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, made his debut for Barcelona in a 1-1 draw against Espanyol on Saturday.

The 22-year-old was handed a start in place of Lionel Messi, and he did not disappoint. He created the first chance of the match by firing a shot just wide of the target from 25 yards out.

However, it was not until the second half that he really showed what he is capable of. With just three minutes left on the clock, he played a one-two with Neymar before slotting home the equaliser from close range.

The goal was only the third time in his career that he had scored in a competitive match, but it was enough to earn him a standing ovation from the home crowd at Camp Nou.

Dembélé's performance was praised by manager Ernesto Valverde, who said: "He is doing very well, especially considering he hasn't played many games yet."

Valverde also praised his team-mate Luis Suarez, who came off the bench to score the winner for Barcelona.

Suarez, who has struggled for form in recent seasons, had been tipped as a potential target for United, but the arrival of Dembélé means that the club will have to make some difficult decisions in the transfer market.

Despite his impressive display, there were concerns about Dembélé's fitness levels after the game. The Frenchman has not played regularly for Barcelona since breaking his leg during a World Cup qualifying match in September 2017, and his return to full fitness will be crucial if he is to succeed at Old Trafford.

Overall, though, Dembélé's debut was a positive one for both him and his new club. He showed that he can contribute to their attacking play, and the fact that he scored a goal will certainly boost his confidence heading into the future.