GRIEZ NOT COMING
BACARY Sagna says the two big clashes coming up with Arsenal will define Pep Guardiola’s first season at the Etihad.
City face Arsene Wenger’s troubled outfit at the Emirates Stadium - where they have won just once in the last 32 league meetings – immediately after the international break.
Then three weeks later, the two sides will meet again at Wembley, with a place in the FA Cup final at stake.
And former Gunner Sagna says the ANTOINE Griezmann has insisted he will not be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer.
The French superstar is United‘s top transfer target this summer, and he has in the past spoken of his desire to play alongside international team-mate Paul Pogba at club level.
But Griezmann has reiterated his desire to remain in the Spanish capital beyond the end of the current campaign. success of Guardiola’s first season in charge will rest largely on the team’s performance in those two games.
“It’s going to be even more vital to come back after the international break even stronger,” said Sagna, who is fighting to be fit for the Gunners clash after suffering a groin strain.
“We need to go to Arsenal and win the game because we want to be part of the Champions League again next season.
“It’s going to be difficult to catch Chelsea - it’s maybe too far now - but we want to be qualifying for the Champions League.
He has been repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Paris Saint Germain are also believed to be interested in the forward, who is currently on international duty with France.
But in a webchat with L’Equipe, Griezmann said: “No. I don’t want to leave Atlético, go to Paris, China, USA, Russia or anywhere else.”
United have been installed as the bookies’ favourites to sign Griezmann, who idolised former Red David Beckham as a child and whose brother professes himself to be an
“We have to go and give a good performance, stick together and keep working hard.”
Arsenal have been reeling from a run of poor results and manager Arsene Wenger is coming under increasing pressure.
But Sagna says that will mean nothing on April 2. ”They will come back fresh, they’ll have two weeks to think about their national teams and to reflect on the way they want to end the season, so they are going to be strong,” he said.
“We can’t expect them to give up.” ardent United fan on social media.
The Reds have the financial muscle to meet Griezmann’s asking price, which is likely to be more than the record £89m United paid for Pogba last summer.
And with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future still to be confirmed and Wayne Rooney likely to depart Old Trafford this summer, Jose Mourinho is in the market for a forward when the summer transfer window opens. Meanwhile, United have been left with a major fixture pile-up next month after the derby was rearranged for Thursday, April 27 at the Etihad Stadium with an 8pm kick-off.