Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Antoine Griezmann, Wayne Rooney Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly held further talks with Atletico Madrid regarding transfer target Antoine Griezmann, who manager Jose Mourinho sees as the perfect replacement for club legend Wayne Rooney.

That's according to the Sunday Mirror's John Richardson, who reported talks haven't stopped between executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Rojiblancos since the newspaper reported on United's interest last month.

Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho see the £80-million rated forward as the perfect candidate to be their next big-money signing, and his arrival would open the door for a sale of Rooney, the team's current captain:

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Although United boss Jose Mourinho has been supportive of Rooney, who has started the last three United games on the substitutes bench, he doesn’t see a long-term future at Old Trafford for his captain.

It’s likely that Rooney will be given the chance to make lucrative moves either to China or the USA once Griezmann is landed.

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Per the report, Griezmann recently parted with his agent, fuelling speculation regarding his future. The France international has so far maintained he's perfectly happy in Madrid and wants to stay with the club as long as manager Diego Simeone is in charge, but the latter recently had his contract shortened by two years, per Football Espana.

Per Premium Sport (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell), Simeone has already made it clear he's keen on coaching Inter Milan at some point in the future, and his new, reduced contract means a move to Italy could be on the cards in the near future.

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As reported by Richardson, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the France international, who has started the 2016-17 campaign in fantastic form. He has already scored six goals in La Liga and is tied with Barcelona's Luis Suarez for the title of top scorer.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

The Red Devils continue to be linked with the French ace, and, at this point, it has to be assumed the club's interest is genuine. United brought veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the fold last summer, but more attacking additions are expected going forward.

Griezmann is one of the most exciting forwards in the world, although his tactical fit at United is questionable. He's at his best as a member of a two-man attack, where he's flanked by a more physical attacker, and Mourinho has long preferred to work with a single striker.

The Atletico man has some experiences as a winger, a position where United could use an upgrade, but he's far more effective in a central role. He has played slightly behind the main striker this season, however, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, and that could be the answer:

While Griezmann isn't an attacking midfielder―he and Kevin Gameiro tend to overlap and move all over the attacking third throughout matches―Mourinho has used Rooney in similar fashion, dropping him behind Ibrahimovic and giving him the responsibility to burst into the box.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Rooney has long been known for his remarkable skills as a distributor, which isn't one of Griezmann's strong suits, but in his heart, the England international is still a striker who wants to take chances himself.

The 30-year-old has dropped off tremendously in the last few years, however, and Mourinho has opted to bring him off the bench in United's most recent matches. The Daily Mirror's John Cross is one of many who think there's no way back for Rooney:

He wouldn't be the first Premier League star to move to the MLS or another league in search of a major payday once it becomes clear he can no longer cut it in England's top division, and a move for Griezmann would all but seal his fate, effectively killing his chances of becoming a starter again.

It's too early to speculate on Griezmann's arrival at Old Trafford, however―as long as Simeone is around, he's highly unlikely to leave Atletico, no matter United's offer.