Paul Scholes wants Manchester United to sign Atletico’s Griezmann

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann would be a positive signing for Jose Mourinho’s side.

United have been linked with France international Griezmann, 25, for some time, and sources told ESPN in June that Mourinho was exploring the possibility of a deal.

Scholes, who spent his entire career at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013, suggested Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, may be too old to spearhead the club’s attack next season.

“When you’re talking about a 36-year-old, as special as he’s been throughout his career, as special as he is now, I don’t think he should be the main [striker],” Scholes said in his role as a BT Sport pundit.

He added that 19-year-old Marcus Rashford still lacks the experience to take on the role but would like to see Griezmann arrive to give the club the kind of attacking strength in depth they enjoyed during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I think Griezmann would be up there,” he said. “He looks a top centre-forward at Atletico and I think we have to be in the market for someone like that.”

Griezmann has said United legend David Beckham was his idol as a youngster and the Frenchman’s brother, Theo, continued his public support for the club during Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League victory over Feyenoord.

Griezmann himself fuelled speculation about a potential deal earlier this month when he said he wanted to play alongside Paul Pogba at club level and that he had been asking his France teammate about United and Mourinho.