Manchester United interested in out-of-favour Barcelona star

Antoine Griezmann’s name has fallen on the radar of United.

Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona

According to a report from Mirror, Manchester United are looking keen on Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann, who could leave the Camp Nou after just one season. The French man has failed to live up to his £100m price tag, having found the nets only 14 times in 43 appearances this season. Adding insult to injury, the former Atletico Madrid star, who joined FC Barcelona last summer, has fallen down the pecking order of Quique Setien, who made a strange admission on Griezmann’s exclusion in recent weeks.

Setien said after negating the French man for almost the entirety of the game against Atletico.(h/t Goal.com)

“It’s difficult to put him on without destabilising the team.”

“I understand it’s tough for Griezmann to come on when so little time left. I will speak with him tomorrow, I won’t say sorry because [it’s about] decisions.”

In the aftermath of Setien’s statement, Griezmann’s family – his brother and father – has lashed out at former Real Betis boss through the social media – all leading to chaos and uncertainty over Griezmann’s future at the Camp Nou.

However, recent reports state that the French World Cup winner has been backed to succeed in the shirts of Blaugrana, with Griezmann himself not thinking about parting ways with the defending La Liga champions.

Manchester Utd’s interest in Griezmann

Griezmann is not a stranger to the Red Devils as he had been linked with them on numerous occasions in the past. However, the recent interest in the 28-year-old doesn’t make sense at all, given United’s quality in the attack at present. While Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are firing in all cylinders thanks to Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba, who has returned to the fold after the COVID Break, United have a strong attacking line-up at their disposal.

The Red Devils’ No.1 target turns out to be Jadon Sancho, yet it has been revealed that United are unwilling to pay nothing more than £50m for the Dortmund star. Having said that, Griezmann’s transfer looks an unlikely one rather than unreasonable.

Griezmann’s best position on the field is playing as a centre-forward/False 9 – the reason why has struggled to adapt to life at Barca. United’s current No.9, Martial has been productive this season, and his link-up play as a deep-lying forward has also improved a lot.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are looking good since the return of the English top-flight, winning 3 of the 4 games they have played so far. They are currently fifth in the table and will face Bournemouth in their next fixture. Alongside Wolves, Chelsea, Leicester City, United are fighting hard for a place in the top four.

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