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Antoine Griezmann has confirmed it was his decision to stay at Atletico Madrid - despite Manchester United declaring they had cooled their interest in the French striker.

Griezmann was Jose Mourinho's primary target this summer, with United prepared to trigger his £87m buyout clause.

But senior sources at Old Trafford performed a U-turn on Thursday when insisting injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic had prompted them to prioritise a more orthodox centre forward instead.

Coming on the same day as the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atletico’s transfer ban, the decision appeared to be

And with the Spanish side unable to recruit a replacement for their prize asset, Griezmann has revealed he could not leave his club in the lurch.

In an interview with TeleFoot, the 26-year-old confirmed: “The questions about my future were pretty boring.

(Image: Telefoot)

“The sanction of the CAS has fallen. Atletico cannot recruit.

“With my sports advisor, Eric Olhats, we decided to stay.

“It’s a hard time for the club. It would be a blow to go now.

“We talked to the club and we will be back for next season.”

United are adamant they have not dropped their interest in Griezmann, and could revive their pursuit once Atletico’s ban is lifted in January or next summer.

Atletico were banned for breach of rules regarding the transfer of minors.

They had already lined up Alexandre Lacazette as a replacement for their star striker.

As reported by MEN Sport in March, sources close to Griezmann believed a move to Old Trafford was virtually done.

Even last week, senior figures at United indicated they would meet Atletico's buyout clause.

But the ban has clearly swayed the player's thinking - forcing United to draw up alternative plans.

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