Missing out on Griezmann may have been ideal for Manchester United

Missing out on Griezmann may have been ideal for Manchester United

Heading into the summer transfer market, the name on everybody’s lips at Manchester United was French striker Antoine Griezmann- who was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and added fuel to the fire by suggesting he would make a move.

The Red Devils had the Atletico Madrid man at the top of their transfer wish-list, identifying him as the ideal attacking addition for their side, but a move collapsed when the Spanish side’s appeal to overturn a transfer ban was rejected.

That meant Atletico Madrid would have been unable to sign a replacement should Griezmann have left and the striker instead decided to stay with Diego Simeone’s side for the forthcoming season, rather than leave them in a difficult position where they’d find it almost impossible to find a replacement.


It has since been revealed that Griezmann would have certainly joined Manchester United if it wasn’t for the transfer ban, with his former advisor Eric Olhats stating as much recently when speaking to France Football.

“Griezmann didn’t feel able to leave Atletico. He’s been integral to them and has shown his commitment to the club at a time when they couldn’t sign players. Without the Fifa sanctions he would have gone.”

With a deal for Griezmann dead, Manchester United focused their attention on signing Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, a deal that was quickly wrapped up, and the Belgian striker has been an immediate hit at Old Trafford.

Scoring a consolation goal in the European Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid, Lukaku has since scored three goals in his three Premier League appearances thus far- including a brace on the opening weekend against West Ham.

Lukaku didn’t find the net in the most recent victory over Leicester City but looks to have slotted into Jose Mourinho’s side superbly, which begs the question as to whether Manchester United have benefitted from missing out on Griezmann.

Whilst Griezmann is a world-class player, there is no guarantee that he would have immediately settled into life in the Premier League and it’s debatable whether he would link-up with the squad in the same fashion that Lukaku has.

At 24-years-old, Lukaku is also two-years younger than Griezmann and that too could be of benefit to Manchester United, who are seeking an attacker who can shine for many years to come following the loss of Wayne Rooney.