‘A mess’ - Manchester United warned against potential striker transfer

Dimitar Berbatov says Manchester United should avoid signing Antoine Griezmann.

The former Reds attacker believes the Frenchman's presence would cause disruption to the frontline, given Rasmus Hojlund was bought for £72m in the summer. The stature of Griezmann, he adds, would make him the number one pick, therefore relegating Hojlund to a rotation player.

Griezmann, 32, has been tentatively linked with a potential Atletico Madrid exit in January amid his good form. The World Cup winner has scored 12 goals in 16 matches this season and is said to be attracting interest from clubs across Europe, although has hinted at his preference to stay in Madrid.

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Many believe United need to sign another striker to ease the scoring burden on Hojlund, who has scored five times in the Champions League since his arrival but is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League. Griezmann’s contract does not expire until 2026 so he would not come cheap.

Furthermore, United may have tight purse strings in the winter market amid Financial Fair Play concerns following a £170m-plus spend in the summer. But if cash does become available, perhaps through permanent exits of Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek, Berbatov says Griezmann should not be a target.

“If United choose to go and buy someone in the January transfer market, I’m curious to see who that’s going to be,” he told Betfair. “Antoine Griezmann has been linked in January, but if he comes, then what happens if Hojlund and Griezmann are fit?

“Griezmann needs to play because he’s Griezmann, so is Hojlund not playing then? If Hojlund doesn’t play, then it’s like, why did you buy