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Belotti and Morata options but Griezmann the man for Man United

Manchester United have been linked with every top striker in Europe and, in the light of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's season-ending injury, they will continue to be all summer.

Manager Jose Mourinho has his plans, with sources telling ESPN FC that Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Torino's Andrea Belotti are two of his top targets. Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku and perhaps even a return for Cristiano Ronaldo are options, too. But which of Europe's elite should United sign?

Rob Dawson: Antoine Griezmann

United will need a striker in the summer, possibly even two. They haven't scored anything like enough goals this season, and now need to replace Ibrahimovic, too. Griezmann is the obvious choice: he is already considered one of the three best players in the world and, at 26, should only get better. That's the type of player United should be looking to sign.

The France international is a goal scorer and has already reached 25 for this season after scoring 32 in all competitions last season. The only issue, though, is whether Mourinho would be comfortable with the 5-foot-7 star leading the line.

Mourinho has had success with quick, powerful strikers who can dominate two centre-backs like Didier Drogba, or Ibrahimovic this season. Griezmann is not that type of player, but Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata are. Mourinho would either have to sign someone else to play with Griezmann or change his system.

Musa Okwonga: Alvaro Morata

The Spaniard looks to be the best fit for Mourinho's team. Though Griezmann is the better player, Morata has a range of skills that would perfectly complement United's current attack. He is a more decisive finisher than Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford, has excellent penalty box instincts but can score from distance too, while he also offers good speed on the counterattack and a significant aerial threat.

In other words, he is precisely the tall, highly mobile targetman who Mourinho is looking to replace Ibrahimovic with. The greatest concern, that he does not score enough, has seemingly been dispelled with his 18 goals in 38 games for Real Madrid this season. He is two years younger than Griezmann, so has age even more in his favour than the Frenchman, and is poised to develop into a truly elite forward.

Scott Patterson: Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann just ticks all the boxes. United have created plenty of chances this season but their problems have been with finishing. He's averaged over 27 goals a season for the past three years which is a fantastic return. In terms of assists, Griezmann also ranks highly, setting up more goals for his teammates this season than anyone at United has.

As Rob says, at 26, Griezmann's best years are ahead of him too. If United were to spend £100 million on him, it would not just be for what he can offer the club now but in the future too.

Finally, his arrival might also bring out the best in Paul Pogba, who is Griezmann's compatriot and good friend. Pogba has done well this season but has yet to hit the heights he reached at Juventus. Playing alongside Griezmann may well see United get better value for money from the £89.3m Pogba.

Alex Shaw: Antoine Griezmann

Instead of investing big money in the raft of stellar talent available this summer, Manchester United should look at human cloning to get a 2002-03 version of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The deadly Dutchman scored 149 in 215 matches for United and had he been in the side this season, Jose Mourinho's men would have cruised into the top four and probably pushed Chelsea close in the title race.

In the absence of a miracle of modern science, the best option out there is Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid man is reaching the peak of his powers and he has the pace and versatility to make United's attack exciting and potent; two things it hasn't looked in too long.

Griezmann can play anywhere across the front three and the way he moves and knits play together is exceptional. Having been managed by Diego Simeone, he also possesses the requisite work-rate and fight to succeed under a man as demanding as Mourinho.