The Manchester United – Antoine Griezmann Mini Saga
As much as Manchester United deny reports about striking a deal with Antoine Griezmann who is expected to join them in the summer, they are not denying the fact that they want and actually need him to boost their goal scoring efficiency.
As Jose Mourinho bids to improve Manchester United’s goal tally and output, it has been understood that the Atletico Madrid striker has been at the top of Mourinho’s summer hit list for some time now. In fact, this piece of information is followed by the claim made by Canal Plus, a French television station.
In 2015, Canal Plus was the first to confirm that Morgan Scheniderlin moved from Southampton to United. Now they have claimed that United is targeting the release clause in Griezmann’s Atletico contract this summer. It’s worth €100 million, approximately £86 million and is not up for renewal until 2021. They have also claimed that in principle, Griezmann has already agreed terms with Manchester United.
The 25-year old forward is apparently set to receive the exact same salary as Paul Pogba, which is €17.7 million annually. He will also be wearing the No 7 shirt that has been vacated by Memphis Depay. He has joined Lyon in January’s transfer window. The widest odds you can get on the mainstream betting sites is 10/11 which says it all about the move’s chances.
Although the senior officials at United have dismissed the claims, no one has said that they are not anxious to sign Griezmann. On the other hand, Greizmann has also clearly stated that he would like to move to the Premier League. He wants to line-up with his French teammates Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba at Old Trafford.
Apart from his close friend Pogba, even Greizmann’s brother who is a huge United fan, is keen for him to move to Old Trafford, if his recent comments on social media are anything to go by.
Earlier in the week, Mourinho confirmed that they have already lined up their summer targets. He said, “We are focusing more on the summer period.” He went on to say that he knows what he wants for the next transfer window. He isn’t sure if it’s possible to get it or not, but he certainly wants to try and be realistic about it.
In last night’s goalless draw with Hull, it was quite evident that United’s want of goals and attacking creativity needs to be addressed quickly. They missed a great opportunity of closing in on the top 4. Mourinho’s backfiring team had a chance to move within the three points of second spot, but they did not succeed in finding a way past the goalkeeper. Hull’s keeper Eldin Jakupovic was successful in saving four goals.
Although United are on a winning run of 14 matches in the Premier League, they have drawn half of them. In all, they have drawn nine games this season, of which six were at Old Trafford. Their failure to beat teams like Hull, West Ham, Burnley and Stoke can cost them a return to the Champions League in the next season.
In this season, United have only scored 33 goals in the 23 League games. Since the launch of the Premier League in 1992, this is their lowest ever total at this stage in the season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic had an off night against Hull, but he’s the only one who has got respectable League goals at 14. None of the other United players have managed to score more than four goals in the League yet.
Mourinho is aware that if United’s goal output continues at this rate, they are in real danger of finishing outside the top 4. This is the main reason why he is taking the Europa League seriously. He knows that it offers a backdoor route to UEFA’s top club competition.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry shares the same sentiments as Mourinho and believes that Griezmann will be a perfect fit for United – what with Rooney’s diminishing prowess on the field and youngsters Anthony Martial as well as Marcus Rashford suffering the so-called second season syndrome. Henry is of the opinion that he is suited to be at the Premier League and if he were to go to Old Trafford, then it would most definitely be good for United.
So until summer, it certainly seems like will he or won’t he? What do you think?
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