The Frenchman has put top clubs across Europe on notice with his performances for Atletico Madrid. Manchester United are now one of the clubs looking to land the architect of Barcelona’s exit from the Champions League.
Manchester United are currently banking on their teenage starlets Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to bag them the goals they so desperately need. Wayne Rooney is no longer the force he once was and seems destined for a role deeper in midfield in his future at Old Trafford.
This makes the signing of a top class striker an absolute priority for the club. There have been a number of big names linked with Manchester United including Neymar, Gareth Bale and most recently Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But they are now reportedly interested in another French striker to partner with Anthony Martial.
According to the Sun, Manchester United scouts are watching Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann as the Red Devils get set for yet another big summer transfer window. Manchester United are willing to spend whatever it takes as they look to regain their place amongst the top clubs in Europe.
At 25 years of age, Griezmann is fast approaching the prime of his career. Fleet-footed and with a precise final touch, the Frenchman has also established himself as a big aerial threat despite his relative lack of physicality. His 27 goals and six assists for Atletico Madrid this season have made sure he is regarded as one of the top strikers in La Liga.
Griezmann is currently contracted to Atletico till 2020 which also includes an 80 million euro release clause. The Frenchman is also reportedly being targeted by Chelsea, and there were even talks of increasing his release clause to a whopping 100 million euros to ensure the former Real Sociedad striker spends his best years with Atletico Madrid.
The possible lineups Manchester United could field with Griezmann in the team
Though Manchester United are in desperate need for a quality striker, they do have a few budding young talents in their roster already. French teenager Anthony Martial made waves with his expensive move from AS Monaco last summer, and this season has even seen youth academy product Marcus Rashford step up and display the potential to make it big.
A 30 year old Wayne Rooney may no longer have what it takes to be an out and out striker, but he brings valuable experience and leadership to the team. The Manchester United captain is an integral part of the team and is unlikely to be let go of despite recent criticism.
With the potential stars as well as talented attacking players in the United squad, it would be interesting to see how the Atletico Madrid man would fit into the strike force. Here are three ways Manchester United’s attack could line up if they were to sign Griezmann.
Griezmann leads the 4-2-3-1
This would probably be the easiest way to fit the Frenchman into the current team. Compatriot Anthony Martial has already settled into a role on the left wing, while Wayne Rooney has also been deployed as a number 10 on several occasions.
In this situation, he would displace Marcus Rashford who would then take up a position on the right wing as the new arrival takes on the mantle of central striker.
Straight swap for Rashford
While 18 year old Marcus Rashford has impressed in his striking role recently, he was more of a forced inclusion by Louis van Gaal that happened to pay off. With the need to immediately get back to winning ways, Manchester United may be tempted to send out their youth academy product on loan to ensure his development as well as upgrade their forward line. Two birds, one stone.
Antoine and Anthony for France and Manchester United
The Red Devils can already boast of one high quality French striker. Although he may a bit on the younger side, Anthony Martial has already displayed his ability to the extent that he is the Red Devils top scorer this season, with 12 goals and 4 assists.
Although that may be lower than what is expected from their top striker, Martial could work wonders with another talented striker to feed off. Antoine and Anthony look like the two forwards that will look to take France back to it’s glory days in international football, and a partnership at Old Trafford would definitely help their cause.
