As Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watched his £75m centre-forward Romelu Lukaku draw another blank during Manchester City’s “lucky” (apparently) victory at Old Trafford yesterday, he may have cast his mind back wistfully to those heady summer days when the signing of Antoine Griezmann seemed a certainty.

How different things might look now if the Frenchman had signed for United instead of Lukaku. Maybe Mourinho’s side would have enjoyed 38% possession in the derby instead of 35%; or perhaps the gap at the top of the Premier League table would be about eight points instead of 11.

It’s impossible to know – and it seems we will never know – because United’s hopes of signing the Atletico Madrid forward have reportedly gone for good. The Express says the 26-year-old has snubbed Mourinho’s persistent advances and instead reached a “verbal agreement” to join Barcelona.

Just to rub it in Jose’s face a bit more, this is partly Chelsea’s fault. Atletico could allow Griezmann to move to the Nou Camp as early as January, when Diego Costa becomes available for selection following his protracted move from Stamford Bridge.

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Shaw wants £5m to leave Man Utd

It’s days like these when the last thing Mourinho needs is Luke Shaw swanning into his office demanding £5m in hard cash. But, unfortunately for the Special One, that’s exactly what he is having to deal with.

The Sun claims the out-of-favour left-back has asked for a sizeable “pay-off” to leave Old Trafford because – despite interest from Newcastle – he is unlikely to find another club that will match his £130,000-a-week wages.

There’s also an issue with Shaw’s transfer fee, with the Magpies unwilling to meet United’s £20m asking price.

Replacing Shaw – eventually – could be Fulham’s left-sided prodigy Ryan Sessegnon, who the Mirror says United will aim to sign in a £50m deal next month.

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Real join Sanchez race

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are the latest club said to be “stepping up their interest” in signing Alexis Sanchez. The Express claims the European champions will make a £30m move for the Arsenal forward next month after Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi was deemed “too expensive”.

The Gunners hierarchy reportedly want to “cash in” on Sanchez in January, whereas manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to keep him until the end of the season so he can help the club seal their place in next season’s Europa League.

Another potential departure from the Emirates is right-back Hector Bellerin, who the Sun says is being lined up by Italian champions Juventus for a “big-money move” next summer.

Elsewhere, Wenger will refuse to let unsettled striker Olivier Giroud leave the Emirates amid interest from Crystal Palace and Everton (Standard), the Gunners are “shock favourites” to sign Man Utd back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero (Star) and the hapless Mourinho allegedly had “milk and water” thrown at him went to the Man City dressing room yesterday to ask the jubilant visitors to tone down their celebrations (Mirror). Shame he didn’t take a mug and a tea bag with him.