Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night and closed the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
18.10.2022 - 17:47 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Four La Liga titles, five Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey successes, life has been pretty kind to Karim Benzema since his 2009 switch from Lyon to Real Madrid.
Add that to Monday night's claiming of the Ballon d'Or for the 21/22 campaign, it's been a euphoric spell for one of the world's most clinical centre forwards, and Manchester United will perhaps rue their efforts to sign him 13 years ago.
Fresh off a superb season with Ligue 1 side back in 08/09, Benzema hit the net a whopping 23 times in 47 outings, as Claude Puel's side finished third in a side containing Hugo Lloris, Mariljem Pjanic and Juninho.
READ MORE: Varane sends message to ex-Real Madrid teammate Benzema after Ballon d’Or win
But it was United who were heavily interested in bringing the forward to the Premier League, as well as European powerhouses of the late 2000s AC Milan, with Madrid then entering the race. Club president Florentino Perez was the biggest factor in the move, as Benzema sealed a €41 million to Spain later that year.
Relaying the very reason he opted to snub Sir Alex Ferguson and United, Benzema explained just how the move came about to Onda Cero : ''I remember I was with my friends. They called me, my family and my agent, to tell me that I had to go home quickly and that we had to talk. ''I told them I didn't have time , and they told me “you have to come, Florentino is here.” I opened the door and saw him, I didn't say anything, just “hello”.''
''There were quite a few clubs that contacted me, like Manchester [United], Inter and Barcelona, but I decided to come here,'' he said. ''Real Madrid are an excellent club. I've dreamt about playing here since I was 15 years old. Florentino [Pérez] spoke to me about the team and the
Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night and closed the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Bruno Fernandes ended his long wait for an Old Trafford goal in stunning fashion, netting Manchester United's second in their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has sent a message of congratulations the way of 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.
Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after they were reunited prior to Sunday’s goalless draw with Newcastle.
Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho described Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea as a 'legend' after the Spaniard made his 500th appearance for the Reds against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has suggested that the Reds could save millions by offering shot-stopper David de Gea a new contract at Old Trafford.
Ex-Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley believes that the departures of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have caused the Reds' demise.
Erik ten Hag could not help himself from smiling when asked about the famous 'squeaky bum time' phrase that was coined by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scott McTominay has given a glowing review of Erik ten Hag and his backroom team’s approach to managing players at Manchester United.