Manchester United midfielders Ander Herrera and Juan Mata have both expressed admiration for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann, 26, is a transfer target for Europa League winners United, and he hinted earlier this week that he is open to a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Herrera, voted Man of the Match in Thursday's 2-0 Europa League final win over Ajax a week after being named United's Player of the Year, told Cadena Ser: "Griezmann is a brilliant player, a phenomenon. He is a star and all the teams in the world would want him. However, Griezmann is still an Atletico Madrid player and I respect Atletico and their fans.

"I've said it in the past, after [Real Madrid's] Cristiano Ronaldo and [Barcelona's Lionel] Messi, he is in that group of those that can become their possible successors."

Griezmann, who is under contract with Atletico until June 2021, turned down a move to Paris Saint Germain last summer after an impressive 2015-16 campaign which saw him finish third in the Ballon d'Or vote behind Ronaldo and Messi.

Instead, he signed a new contract extension with Atletico and saw his buyout clause increase to €100 million.

According to Marca, Atletico believe that Griezmann's latest comments are an attempt from the player to receive an improved contract.

Griezmann told L'Equipe that the chances of him playing at United next season were "six out of 10."

Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United. EPA/Quique Garcia

Mata told Cadena Ser after lifting the Europa League trophy: "When I was at school a six out of 10 was considered OK. I would take that. Griezmann is a great player and I like great players. He has quality, he gets goals.

"I don't know him but he seems like a good person so... I don't know what will happen but of course I like him."

Griezmann, who signed for Atletico from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2014 shortly after they won the Liga title, scored 26 goals and set up 12 more for the club in all competitions this season.

Atletico, who finished third in La Liga, were eliminated by Madrid in the semifinals of the Champions League -- the same team that have beaten them in two of the last three finals of the competition.

Griezmann, having only lifted the 2014 Spanish Super Cup during his time at Atletico, spoke this week of his desire to "win titles."

Atletico teammate Koke says no one should question the club's talent and hunger for trophies.

He is quoted as saying by Marca: "I would tell those people [who think that Atletico cannot compete for titles] to come here at Atletico and see for themselves. We have grown a lot, we are fighting for all of them.

"Right now there are few teams better than Atletico Madrid. We have won titles in recent years, we have played two Champions League finals recently, competed against the best and have grown."