Manchester United have been urged to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to "take pressure off" Rasmus Hojlund and reignite their top-four bid.
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Benzema reportedly unsettled at Al-IttihadHas been linked with a move to Man UtdPaul Ince believes it would be a “great bit of business”WHAT HAPPENED?
The 36-year-old has found it difficult to settle in Saudi Arabia and has been reported to be looking for an exit from the Middle Eastern country. Ince, who is regarded as one of the greatest English midfielders of all time, believes that the Red Devils should lure Benzema to Old Trafford as both Hojlund and Marcus Rashford have been misfiring since the beginning of the campaign.
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Speaking to instantcasino.com, Ince said: "If Man United can get Karim Benzema, then you’re taking him all day long. Signing Benzema would lift the whole club, including the fans. I don’t care if he’s 36, he’s a world-class player. It would be great if the club could get him – it would take a lot of pressure off Hojlund and it could lift them into those top four places. He’s an out-and-out goalscorer – if he does leave the Saudi Pro League then there will be a few teams trying to sign him, that’s for sure.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
United splurged £72million ($90m) on Hojlund in the summer but the striker has only scored twice in 16 Premier League appearances to date. The hefty price tag adds to the pressure and Ince believes that Benzema's arrival would allow the youngster to express himself more freely.
"If Manchester United were to move for him (Benzema), it also takes the pressure off Rasmus Hojlund to a certain degree, who is still a young striker who would prefer to have a senior player to look up to," the former United midfielder added.
"The pressure wouldn’t be on him to score every time he plays, and he can spend his time in training learning from one of the best. It would be a great bit of business for United if they could sign him, it really would."
DID YOU KNOW?
In a significant development, Benzema has brushed aside the speculations of leaving Al-Ittihad. He blamed the French media for spreading lies and denied that he had handed in a transfer request to the club.