Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is rumored to be considering a move to Manchester United, potentially overshadowing the decision to overlook Timo Werner. As the Red Devils seek to strengthen their forward line this month, manager Erik ten Hag aims to ease Rasmus Hojlund’s Premier League transition by reducing his workload.
Despite Hojlund’s hefty £64 million signing from Atalanta, he has yet to score a league goal in his first half-season in England. Anthony Martial, serving as the starting backup, remains a disappointment, and with his contract set to expire at the season’s end, United may benefit from signing a successor this month, considering their limited budget.
Confirming discussions with Timo Werner’s representatives, Fabrizio Romano revealed that United had the opportunity to sign the RB Leipzig striker. However, the club hesitated due to uncertainty about the specific player they wanted, even with the winter window just a week old. As a result, Tottenham swiftly secured a six-month loan agreement with a buyout option for Werner.
Now exploring alternatives, former United frontman Louis Saha suggests that the ideal solution is Karim Benzema, currently with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Despite winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022, Benzema’s venture to the Middle East has not been successful, with Al-Ittihad currently in seventh place in the SPL, supported by the Public Investment Fund.
Dubbed “Ben-Hazima,” meaning “the son of defeat” in Arabic, Benzema faces dissatisfaction from the team’s supporters. Saha advocates for United to rescue Benzema from his Saudi misery, providing him with a last chance to succeed in Europe. Emphasizing Benzema’s potential to revitalize the United frontline, Saha suggests he would enhance play and contribute goals, also serving as a mentor to Hojlund.
However, Saha acknowledges the difficulty of making a January acquisition and considers it more of a dream scenario. Benzema’s substantial weekly earnings of £1.65 million in the SPL pose a financial challenge, requiring a significant wage cut for a potential transfer to United, whether on loan or as a free agent.
