Manchester United’s goalless draw against Hull City on Wednesday night once again emphasised a major flaw in José Mourinho’s side: the Reds need another striker.

It is apparent that if Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to find the net, United struggle in front of goal. Despite his advancing years, the Swede has netted an impressive 14 times in the Premier League this season, but United’s next highest scorers are Juan Mata and Paul Pogba with just four apiece.

This is why Mourinho has reportedly prioritised the signing of another top-class striker in the summer transfer window and if recent reports are to be believed, United are on the verge of signing one of the world’s best.

It’s pretty much been an open secret for months now, but reports from French and English outlets yesterday have suggested that a move to Manchester for Antoine Griezmann might become reality in the summer.

Although Griezmann only signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid in June, these recent reports have suggested that he is very much willing to make the move to Old Trafford.

His current contract, which runs until 2021, sees him earn £6 million a year, but that figure could double if he decides to move to England, where he could earn a salary in the same bracket as close friend Paul Pogba, which is around £15 million.

The reports indicate that United have yet to agree a fee with Atleti for Griezmann, but any deal would probably have to been in the region of the world-record transfer fee that the Reds forked out to sign Pogba from Juventus in last summer’s transfer window.

Griezmann’s 59th-minute strike in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona on Wednesday night was the Frenchman’s 15th goal in all competitions this season.

Those goals have come in 2,495 minutes of football, which equates to a goal every 166.33 minutes.

In comparison, Ibrahimovic has scored 19 goals in all competitions in 2,732 minutes of football. That means, on average, the Swede’s goals have come every 143.78 minutes.

When you consider that Griezmann often plays as a second striker, operating behind a number nine – usually fellow French international Kevin Gameiro or Fernando Torres – his strike rate is amplified further.

Factor in Griezmann’s seven assists and the Frenchman has been involved in an Atleti goal every 113.4 minutes – a staggering figure indeed.

In league competition, both men have a shot accuracy of 57%, but Griezmann’s eight goals in La Liga have come from 50 shots, which means he needs 6.25 efforts at goal for every time he finds the net. That’s a more efficient ratio than Ibrahimovic’s 6.71 shots at goal and also compares favourably to some of the Premier League’s top marksmen, including Sergio Aguero (6.73).

These numbers indicate the sort of ruthless finisher that Mourinho’s side has lacked this season. Although the Reds have little problems in creating chances, they have been remarkably inefficient when it has come to putting the ball into the back of the net.

Opta stats indicate that United’s clear-cut chance conversion percentage dropped below 30% after the Hull match (29.3%) – a whopping 10% lower than any other Premier League team – while their overall shot conversion of 8.5% is the third-lowest in the Premier League.

United have been by far the most wasteful team in front of goal in the Premier League this season, and Mourinho has already stated his intention to keep Ibrahimovic for next season.

Therefore, if Griezmann does come in and take up the fabled number seven shirt recently vacated by Memphis Depay, he will do so as a replacement for Wayne Rooney, who recently became Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer.

At 25 years of age, Griezmann is the perfect blend of youth and experience, having already experienced a Champions League final with Atletico and a European Championship final with France. Despite this, he has yet to hit his peak and probably has his best years ahead of him.

£85 million is certainly a massive figure to pay for a player, but with United’s struggles in front of goal clear for all to see this season, adding a forward of Griezmann’s calibre would be an absolute no-brainer – if the opportunity does present itself, of course.

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