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Soccer

Former Manchester United striker says club should pursue 'fantasy' transfer target

Former Manchester United striker says club should pursue 'fantasy' transfer targetGetty Images

Manchester United are in desperate need up front, with just 24 goals scored in 21 Premier League matches so far this season.

With Marcus Rashford struggling on and off the pitch and Rasmus Hojlund still adjusting to life at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are looking for someone who can reliably put the ball in the back of the net. 

Acquiring an attacker in the transfer window could be a route United choose to take, but time is of the essence as deadline day is on Thursday.

Through most of January, the Red Devils have been linked with former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who is currently with Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League. Rumours have linked Benzema with a loan move to Old Trafford, but until now they've not advanced past the hearsay stage.

One former Man United striker feels that Benzema would be a massive acquisition for the goal-starved side. Speaking to BetFred, Louis Saha underlined how circumstances for the club and the player may have aligned to make a potential move work.

“Before his move to Saudi Arabia, this move would have been considered a fantasy," Saha said. "There are not many players with his profile, his experience and his understanding for scoring goals.

"Karim is still one of the best strikers in the world and has been one of the best for many, many years. If you put this on the table, then it is possible.

"You need to know whether the player is interested in the move or not and the club needs to come to a solution that makes sense.

"Ultimately, I believe it could be a great move and when it comes to a forward that can link up with his fellow players, then nobody’s better at that than Karim."

Five-time Champions League titlist and 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema is the type of high-profile signing United used to be known for, and Saha has urged his former club to put themselves in that stratosphere once again.

“Manchester United needs to believe that they can attract any player and this is why the need for a sporting director is so important because they need to understand the motivation of a prospective signing and it needs to be a match for what they want to achieve,” he said.

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