Soccer

Karim Benzema a target for Manchester United

Real Madrid striker earmarked as man to solve United’s lack of goals as Falcao departs

Karim Benzema has a glittering CV at club and international level, and at 27 is at the peak of his powers. Photograph: JuanJo Martin/EPA
Karim Benzema has a glittering CV at club and international level, and at 27 is at the peak of his powers. Photograph: JuanJo Martin/EPA
Jamie Jackson
Tue May 26 2015 - 23:18

Karim Benzema is being monitored by Louis van Gaal, with the Real Madrid striker viewed by the manager as an answer to Manchester United's goalscoring problems.

If Van Gaal does decide to make a move for the former Olympique Lyonnais striker, who would cost in the region of £40 million (€56 million), he may have to fight off interest from Arsenal as their manager, Arsène Wenger, retains an interest in the player.

Although Benzema signed a new contract last summer that expires in 2019, there is uncertainty at the club now that Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as head coach after two years in charge.

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The former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, currently at Napoli, is considered the favourite to replace the Italian.

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But whether it be Benítez or another coach who takes over, several Real players’ futures are in doubt this close season, which may make it easier for Van Gaal to prise Benzema from the European champions should he firm up his interest.

Benzema, who scored 22 goals in 46 Real appearances this season and made 10 assists, is an established France international with a glittering CV. At Real he has won the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup. When at Lyon he won four French titles.

Having also appeared in two European Championships and two World Cups and now aged 27, Benzema is at his peak and would be expected to provide the firepower Van Gaal considers is missing from his squad.

Van Gaal is determined that next season United will have a formidable strikeforce that can make them serious title contenders. In the Dutchman's inaugural term, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and James Wilson managed only 26 goals between them in the Premier League as United finished in fourth place.

With 73, champions Chelsea registered 11 more goals than United, while second-placed Manchester City, the top-scorers, managed 83, 21 better than Van Gaal’s team.

Falcao’s paltry return of four league finishes was a telling factor in Van Gaal’s decision to allow the centre-forward to return to Monaco following a year-long loan.

Fluid The Colombian’s departure means the manager requires at least one new top-class goalscorer and with Van Persie’s future also in the balance, this could rise to two. However, the situation is fluid as Javier Hernández may return from loan at Real and be given a chance to prove himself. Guardian Service