United cool Griezmann interest

Antoine Griezmann had attracted interest from Manchester United earlier this year

Manchester United have cooled their interest in Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, according to Sky sources.

United’s new stance comes a matter of hours after Atletico had an appeal against their transfer ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Spanish club will not be free to make any signings until January 2018 and therefore would be unable to replace Griezmann if he departs in the summer.

Sky Sports News HQ understands United have made the signing of an out-and-out goalscoring striker a priority following the knee injury sustained by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in April.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in April and is yet to secure his future at Old Trafford

United already have a number of players that can operate behind the forward line, including Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and SSNHQ understands that has lessened the club’s urgency to sign Griezmann.

The France forward’s present contract at Atletico, which runs until 2021, includes an £87m release clause.

Griezmann recently revealed on French TV that his chances of a switch to Old Trafford were “six out of 10”, but has since dismissed reports that a deal was already in place for him to join United.

“All the rumours are unfounded,” Griezmann tweeted from his official Twitter account. “I’m still Colchonero. My direction will be established after discussion with my sporting advisor.”