Manchester United will NOT sign Karim Benzema despite call from club legend

Manchester United have reportedly passed on signing Ballon d’Or 2022 winner Karim Benzema on loan for the rest of the season.

The report comes just weeks after former Red Devils striker Louis Saha implored United to try and sign his fellow countryman, with Saha believing Benzema could prove vital in helping Rasmus Højlund develop.

Benzema, who signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad last year, is believed to be seeking a return to European football. When that news broke, Benzema was reported by some sources to be a potential target of United’s.

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But, according to a report from talkSPORT, United have now decided not to make a January loan move for Benzema.

Manchester United’s attack has remained a persistent issue, one that has resulted in United having a total goal difference of just +10 over the last two and a half Premier League campaigns.

Worse yet, United have scored just 24 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the same as seventeenth and eighteenth-placed Everton and Luton Town.

The club have spent a little over £230 million on attackers over the last three seasons, with a large portion of the outlay going on Erik ten Hag’s signings, Antony and the aforementioned Højlund.

Antony has struggled since he arrived from Ajax, with United continuing to look at bringing in reinforcements in his position. Both Crystal Palace star Michael Olise and Atheltic Bilbao forward Nico Williams have been highlighted as two potential signings.

Højlund, meanwhile, has delivered mixed returns so far in his debut season, but as of the time of writing, is the club’s top goal scorer this season with seven goals in all competitions.

Former United striker Louis Saha had previously called the club to sign Benzema as he felt it would help Højlund improve his game.

“He [Benzema] will shake up the United frontline, and that’s what they need,” Saha said.

“He will definitely score goals, and he will link up the play a lot better. It’s just a dream, but Karim is still a very professional guy, he’s the type of striker that Højlund will learn from, but that’s just a fantasy.”