‘Griezmann’s comments suggest he wants Manchester United move’

Former West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop believes that Antoine Griezmann‘s comments about wanting to play alongside Paul Pogba at club suggest that the Atletico Madrid attacker is laying the groundwork for a move to Manchester United.

Griezmann plays with United midfielder Pogba for France and Atletico’s number seven hinted that he’s keen on moving to Man United, saying he “always” asks the midfielder about the Red Devils.

As reported by Sky Sports, Griezmann said: “I always ask Paul Pogba about Manchester United. I think they are a huge club with a really good infrastructure.

“I ask Paul about some of the players, and if they’re really that good, or if Jose Mourinho is really that good.

“You hear a lot of things [speculation] about Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but right now I don’t see me moving to a new club. But it would be awesome to play alongside Paul one day.”

Hislop is adamant that Griezmann wouldn’t make such comments if he wasn’t planning to make the switch to Old Trafford.

Hislop told ESPN: “It’s desperately naive unless there’s something that follows this all. Let’s be honest- it’s one thing being polite, it’s another being naive. It’s a whole thing else when someone like Antoine Griezmann, who is experienced, who has played at the top level, who knows how to handle the media and who knows exactly how your words can be spun.

“I see this and I can’t help but think this is Antoine Griezmann laying the groundwork for a move.”

One of the standout players in world football, Griezmann was excellent for France at Euro 2016 and has caught the eye in the early stages of this season, scoring six goals in ten La Liga appearances.

United would certainly benefit from having a player of Griezmann’s calibre at their disposal at present, with Jose Mourinho’s side having struggled for consistency this campaign.

Mourinho spent heavily in the summer transfer window, bringing in players such as Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the Portuguese still seems uncertain as to what his strongest starting line-up is.