Griezmann used United to get a better contract, claims team-mate

For much of the early period of the transfer window Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United threatened to be the transfer of the summer, but after Atletico's transfer ban was upheld, Griezmann eventually committed his future to 'Los Colchoneros'.

The France international put pen to paper on a fresh £235,000-a-week deal, leading team-mate Filipe Luis to suggest that Griezmann may just have been playing United to get improved terms in the Spanish capital.

Speaking to Spanish publication 'El Mundo', Luis said: '[Griezmann] is a kid who speaks very clearly.

'Often players talk when they feel they are not being valued as they deserve. Then they get more attention. He would have had many offers from many teams.

'A player of his size wants to be up with the biggest in terms of contract and value. And that is fair - as Griezmann is doing great here.

'In the end, for all the talk about other clubs, he always wanted to stay here and he is still here, happy and liking it.'

The news will come as a blow to United fans, with many hoping that the club would return for the striker either in January or next summer.

Luis, for his part, believes that Griezmann is well on his way to repairing his relationship with the Atletico fans and thinks that the 26-year-old could remain with the club for some time yet.

'For sure, he can stay much longer,' he explained.

'We hope the fans understand this and everything gets back to normal, although he has been scoring goals, and goals cure everything.'