Breaking Down What Antoine Griezmann Would Bring to Manchester United

Antoine Griezmann would a perfect addition to Manchester United's front line were the France international to arrive at Old Trafford this summer.

Unfortunately for United fans, that currently looks unlikely. The 25-year-old told French television station Canal Plus (h/t the Daily Express), "I am happy at Atletico and am close to renewing my contract."

The Griezmann situation taps into a broader problem United could have this summer. Atletico Madrid might not be one of European football's traditional super powers, but they have made it back to the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in three years and were again a serious contender in La Liga.

On the other hand, United are again out of the Champions League and look a long way off competing for the Premier League title. The size of the club, its history and its substantial financial muscle will obviously mean it is still a draw. However, players who are hungry to compete for the biggest trophies will have serious questions to ask themselves.

However, in the remarkable event that Griezmann were to decide to role the dice on an Old Trafford career, his particular abilities would be an ideal fit for United's spluttering attack.

First of all, he is a multi-functional forward. This season, in the league and Champions League he has started at centre-forward in 32 games. He has started on the right flank 12 times and had three games at left wing.

This would offer United's manager—whether that is Louis van Gaal or a replacement—a tremendous amount of flexibility. That would make him an ideal addition to the forwards currently at the club.

Anthony Martial has shown how effective he can be playing off the left, and he looks to have all the tools to make an effective centre-forward. Marcus Rashford has displayed phenomenal promise as a central striker and has shown a capacity to play on the right-hand side of an attack, particularly in a 4-3-3 where his defensive duties would be limited.

Combining Griezmann, Rashford and Martial as a front three would be a scintillating prospect.

Griezmann fits into that front three in terms of his style as well as flexibility. Like Martial and Rashford, he is very quick. At Atletico he has had license to play off the shoulder of the last defender, like an upscale Jamie Vardy, pouncing on counter-attacking opportunities.

As a result of this, the goals have flowed—22 in each of his two seasons at Atletico, which has been a substantial upgrade on his time at Real Sociedad where 16 was the best he managed.

This season has also resulted in his most assists—five in the league. He has also had his most productive Champions League season—seven goals and an assist make him a vital part of his team's success in that competition.

There has been a noticeable stylistic shift over the years—he is attempting to take on players less frequently. He averaged 3.1 dribble attempts per 90 minutes in the 2011/12 league season, for example, and this season that was down to 2.1. However, his successful dribbles dropped much less, from one per 90 minutes to 0.9.

He is thus completing a much higher percentage of his attempts to beat a man. He likely has to try dribbles less often because of the way Atletico set up—they often have space to run into given they invite so much pressure onto themselves.

His improved number of assists is reflected in the number of key passes he is making. This season's average of 1.6 per 90 is not a stellar number by any means—it puts him 67th in La Liga for players with five or more appearances—but it is his best in a league season.

His Champions League numbers are even better, and he is making 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes of European football this season.

Chance creation, a devastating focal point for counter-attacks, substantial technical ability and the kind of positional flexibility make him a manager's dream. Griezmann would bring a lot to United—or pretty much any club in world football.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

He is one of the game's best at the moment, and the Red Devils would be lucky to have him.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.