After rising through the youth ranks at Lyon, Karim Benzema joined Real Madrid in same year as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso. However, the French internationals career could have been very different as it has emerged that Fergie was interested in taking the forward to Old Trafford five years ago.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said United were interested, however, Benzema prefered to move to Real. In an interview with Canal+ Aulas stated.
“For a long time he wanted to play one day at Real Madrid and when operations began to fall into place, we did not object. The proposal was superior to Manchester United’s but he was given the opportunity to go where he wanted.I am very happy for him. This is the best striker in La Liga and one of the best in the world. The criticism he has received are part of the life of a professional football player, but we had to be above it all.”
The former Lyon striker has scored 116 goals in 246 appearances for Los Blancos.
Written by Ben Waterhouse – @BenWaterhouse_
