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Manchester United will not be making an approach to sign Karim Benzema.
The French forward, currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ittihad, is thought to be available for a return to Europe following a row with his club.
Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer on a free transfer from Real Madrid. He was made captain of the team given he was the club’s premier player and their most expensive one as well.
Fifteen goals in twenty-four appearances constitutes a reasonable return in an Al-Ittihad shirt this season but reports have revealed that the 36-year-old is unsettled in his new home.
Benzema failed to report to the club’s training centre on Friday for a presentation day. This led his manager, Marcelo Gallardo, to decide to exclude the forward from Al-Ittihad’s training camp in Dubai this month. Benzema claimed he was unable to attend the session due to a “cyclone” trapping him in the Mauritius islands.
It was not a decision made in isolation, however.
Benzema reportedly missed a number of training sessions prior to Christmas which first revealed the discontent between the captain and his club.
The Frenchman is now being hotly linked with a move back to Europe, potentially on a short-term loan deal. United – who have struggled enormously up front this season – were one such team, as explained here.
However, TalkSPORT contends this will not happen.
The media outlet reveals United “won’t be making a move for Karim Benzema” on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Man United won’t be making a move for Karim Benzema ❌#MUFC
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 15, 2024
Old Trafford has become a pleasant retirement home for aging strikers in recent years.
Wout Weghorst, Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all centre-forwards in their 30s who United signed on short-term contracts to help plug a gap up front.
While the success of each of these players varied greatly, the negative short-termism at the heart of each move was consistent.
United appear to have heeded these mistakes of the past and will not repeat it with Benzema.
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