Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is sending a January SOS to Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann.

The Daily Express says Mourinho is urging United's hierarchy to trigger the £86m release clause in the France striker's contract with Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window – instead of waiting until the summer.

He wanted Griezmann last summer before the player decided to stay in Spain but is ready to try again to revive United's faltering campaign which has been compounded by injuries to Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Mourinho revealed on Friday that United are preparing “to spend big on one player this summer" but needs new blood now.

Barcelona also want Griezmann but Atletico do not want to sell to their La Liga rivals who are expected to make a renewed bid for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.