Rio Ferdinand explains why Manchester United don't need Antoine Griezmann

Posted Saturday, April 08, 2017 by givemesport.com

Manchester United find themselves facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League after two home draws in a row.

It goes without saying that the financial consequences of missing out on Europe's elite competition are huge.

That is not what will hurt the club the most.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, they've played just six Champions League games, having been knocked out in the group stages once under Louis van Gaal.

For a club of Manchester United's stature, it's about prestige more than anything else.

From a business point of view, Ed Woodward and co. will also be concerned that finishing outside the top four could affect their chances of signing world-class players - though it didn't deter Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba last summer.

UNITED'S NUMBER ONE TARGET

Antoine Griezmann suffered heartache in the Champions League final less than a year ago, and the Atletico Madrid forward is understandably desperate to put that right by winning the competition in the near future.

Enough has been said about the Frenchman's potential switch to Old Trafford, but he seems content at the Vicente Calderon. It's far from a done deal.

Rio Ferdinand insists that despite all the talk surrounding the former Real Sociedad man, Jose Mourinho shouldn't fret if they don't sign him.

If Griezmann does stay in the Spanish capital, it would no doubt leave a lot of United fans feeling bitterly disappointed having built their hopes up.

It shouldn't, Ferdinand suggests, because they have another player to get excited about.

DO UNITED NEED GRIEZMANN?

"I don't think they need to spend millions and millions on one," he told BT Sport, quoted via the Manchester Evening News.

"I would give [Marcus] Rashford the opportunity next season.

"Rashford is still young and needs help. You can't put it all on him.

"Rashford would send nerves into my system as a defender but needs to play in best position, not out wide."

We all know Mourinho loves developing young players - right, Luke Shaw?

Rashford's tally of three league goals this season doesn't really compare to Griezmann's 14 in La Liga, but the youngster has been displaced from his natural position by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Whatever it means for United, it could be a true test of Mourinho's credentials to see how he gets on without spending much more.