It’s a weird time to be a Manchester United supporter at the moment.
The Red Devils are on a historic unbeaten run in the Premier League yet their hopes of a top four place are out of their hands. They have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba at their disposal, but spent over 100 days in sixth place.
Jose Mourinho’s men are painfully close to success and the Champions League; they’ve not been able to put a consistent run of form together. A painful streak of draws, particularly at Old Trafford, has been particularly culpable.
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Cause for change
That’s all well and good, but how do United actually go about changing things and adding that final sprinkling of quality?
In the opinion of many, the answer to the Red Devils’ strife is Antoine Griezmann. After all, it seems not one newspaper nor pundit hasn’t put the two together over the past few months.
The Frenchman was named the top scorer and best player at Euro 2016 and has kicked on this season with Atletico Madrid. 25 goals from 48 appearances across 2016-17 speaks for itself.
All evidence points towards his arrival proving the final piece of the puzzle for the Red Devils. Crucially too, it would provide the club with a proven goal scorer that isn’t deep into his thirties and soon to be flirting with retirement.
Moreover, the presence of Paul Pogba proves a potentially appetising French link for Griezmann.
Obviously though, there is no guarantee that the 26-year-old will leave the Vicente Calderon, never mind pick United out of all the potential suitors. After all, it may take yet another world record fee to secure the move.
If any potential transfer was to fall through, it’s highly likely that Mourinho would go on to search for alternatives. Owen Hargreaves is somebody who would have no qualms with such a decision.
Hargreaves comments
The ex-Manchester United man has no doubt of the quality of Griezmann, but believes there could be a better option for the Red Devils. He’s certainly stuck his neck out with these comments.
Speaking to BT Sport, Hargreaves suggested his alternative: "You have to look at what you have and what you desperately need, I think they need a Dybala-type player.
"Everybody speaks about Griezmann, I think Griezmann would be terrific. But I think Dybala, he's a little bit younger, he's going to be a superstar if he isn't already.
"He would be magnificent. That star power that Ibra (Zlatan Ibrahimovic) bought, I think Dybala could bring that as well."
As preferable as Griezmann would be, you can’t exactly argue with Hargreaves’ suggestion. Paulo Dybala has risen to one of the finest strikers in Europe recently and has amassed 40 goals for Juventus across the past two seasons.
His performances against Barcelona were particularly notable and at just 23-years-old, he would prove yet another long-term investment.
However, with United currently outside of the top four, their hopes of attracting such big name players could be in jeopardy. Just one Champions League campaign in the past four years would serve to undermine a great number of pull factors.
Mourinho and co. might have to rely on the allure of Old Trafford and their big bucks or stick with their current squad if European football slips through their fingers.
Who would suit Manchester United better - Antoine Griezmann or Paulo Dybala? Have YOUR say in the comment box below