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01st May 2017

Owen Hargreaves names interesting Antoine Griezmann alternative for Manchester United

Not a bad shout

Darragh Murphy

One of the biggest shortcomings faced by Manchester United throughout this season has been squandered chances.

Even before the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic injured himself, United lacked the killer instinct to put so many teams away with that extra piece of clinical finishing.

It’s been suggested in recent weeks that Ibrahimovic will not renew his contract at Old Trafford once this season comes to an end, which will add further concern among supporters about the Red Devils’ firepower.

All the talk has been that United will make Antoine Griezmann their top target this summer as Jose Mourinho aims to inject some much-needed goals into his side.

The rumour has gained such legs that Griezmann himself has taken to storming out of interviews once questions over his future inevitably show themselves.

It’s believed that United will indeed lodge a bid for Atletico Madrid’s top scorer but a former United man, Owen Hargreaves, has thrown an interesting name in the ring for a potential alternative.

“You have to look at what you have and what you desperately need, I think they need a Dybala-type player,” Hargreaves said on BT Sport.

“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 brought, I think Dybala could bring that as well.”

One problem with that potential deal which Hargreaves failed to mention is that Dybala recently signed a new contract with Juventus so if he is to move anywhere in the next year, it will be for top dollar.

After signing from Palermo in 2015, Dybala has scored 40 goals in 85 games for Juve and put top European clubs on high alert with his masterclass against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.