Manchester United transfer news: Paul Scholes says Jose Mourinho should sign Antoine Griezmann to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front

PAUL SCHOLES claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic is too old to be Manchester United’s main striker – and has identified Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as the man to succeed him.

The Old Trafford legend believes boss Jose Mourinho must sort out a successor to the 35-year-old – but says the Swede has a vital role in helping England starlet Marcus Rashford eventually fill the role.

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Scholes said of ex-Paris Saint-German hero Ibrahimovic: “He’s an athlete and a fit lad. I think he’ll be good to have around the place.

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“He’ll be good for someone like Rashford to learn from. If at 36 years of age he’s going to be the main striker then I don’t see that.

“When this club has been successful, when I was playing, when Michael [Owen] was playing, we always had three or four brilliant centre forwards.

“f you’re talking about a 36-year-old, as special as he’s been over his career, as special as he is now, I don’t think he should be the main one.”

Scholes‘ age concern might be more premature than even the staunchest fans of Ibrahimovic think – because the former Barcelona hitman will not be 36 until next October.

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But in any case ex-England midfielder Scholes thinks Mourinho should consider recruiting one more world-class forward.

Scholes‘ choice would be France striker Antoine Griezmann, 25, who has hit 50 goals in 85 games for Atletico Madrid.

He said: “Will they bring another centre forward in? Wayne’s obviously there to challenge. Is Martial a centre forward? There’s four already.

“I think Griezmann would be up there, I think he looks great.”

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But Scholes also insists Rashford can be the long-term focal point of United's attack and soon must stop considering himself Ibrahimovic's apprentice.

He said: “Marcus can take that role. I’m not sure he’s ready for that role yet but there has to be a point where Marcus says ‘Right, I’m after your place, we’re direct rivals. want your place’."

Scholes' views on Ibrahimovic echo those of fellow TV pundit Michael Owen, who has labelled the summer recruit as a stop-gap signing.