Karim Benzema's former teammate Anthony Mounier has revealed the lengths Sir Alex Ferguson went to sign the Frenchman at Manchester United. The Frenchman claims the legendary manager was at the forward's house to try and convince him to move to Old Trafford.
Benzema was a hot property while he was at Lyon. The forward was monitored by the best clubs in the world, including Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Mounier was talking to The Athletic when he claimed Sir Alex spoke with Benzema's parents at their house in France. However, the forward rejected the move as his dream was to play for Real Madrid.
"Karim was the man at this point. Manchester United were so keen on signing him that Sir Alex Ferguson went to Karim's house to meet his parents. But his dream was to play for Real Madrid. He really looked up to the Brazilian Ronaldo. That was his idol. Karim's dream has always been to play for Real Madrid and he wanted to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps. If Real Madrid want to sign you, you can't turn them down."
Manchester United wanted Karim Benzema.
Last year, Rio Ferdinand recalled the time Sir Alex informed the players of Karim Benzema. The former manager was confident of landing the striker and was devastated when he picked Real Madrid.
"I remember Sir Alex Ferguson saying 'I'm trying to get him [Benzema], I think I've got a really good chance of getting him'. Sir Alex Ferguson, I think he'd be one of the players that he's probably most devastated not getting. I did think it was going to happen," Ferdinand said.
Sir Alex confirmed the story and revealed why they missed out as well:
"We tried to spend [the Cristiano Ronaldo money] on Karim Benzema as, at 21, I felt that there would be an improvement there. He is tough, good physique, a good goal scoring record, so it was worth going a wee bit extra for him because of his age. But when it went to £42m, it was beyond his value. We went to £35m and I think that was fair."
Jose Mourinho also wanted to sign Benzema at Manchester United, but failed.
SserunjojiJohnjovan
237
The greatest coach picked the greatest Player of all football times 🐐 cr7 🔥
Titbdknsuy
0
hala Madrid
Yodcdeipt
2
Mbappe could never leave for free says the president of PSG
cohabkm
0
But Mbappe did it! Bravo Mbappe
bigLemonski
2
"If Real Madrid want to sign you, you can't turn them down."
M_cAveli
3
He wanted to follow Ronaldo’s footsteps why not go to Barca first like Ronaldo did before ending up in Madrid?
alidanish
4
PSG in the transfer market be like 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣
Marichuy111
4
Benzema the man for the big match and have proof that in many occasions, tipping he to win the 2022 ballon d'or and he made the right choice going to Real Madrid 💯. Madrid is a team with class of champions and Benzema have won many titles 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🏅🏅🏅🏅 just thinking what if he have been in Man u all this time 🤔😏😏😏
Aya4San
2
why is this news coming up now
MkonoJr
0
Mbappe was forced to resign for PSG by those whose has power to force him to do so, and fear to refuse to accept their request and be hated all over as they have say.
Forced? can you force a man to stay or do something? pressurized I can understand but forced ? no man that's just exaggerating
ariwanze
2
so Benzema rejected United and everything is ok but when mbappe rejects Madrid is problem
If my president calls me not to move abroad, I wouldn't. Even if it's my dream. It's the wise thing to do. It's no longer about your dream. It's now a national issue.
Ahlans
0
so Benzema rejected United and everything is ok but when mbappe rejects Madrid is problem
Mbappe was forced to resign for PSG by those whose has power to force him to do so, and fear to refuse to accept their request and be hated all over as they have say.
RaghibMustafa
0
not mbappe lol
Wiseman. hope u understand the meaning of "almost"
haocdimp
0
so Benzema rejected United and everything is ok but when mbappe rejects Madrid is problem
Benzema dream to play for Real Madrid Mbaape dream to play for Real Madrid Say you don’t know what the fxxk you Talking about
Pacekopruy
0
almost every players dream to play for real Madrid. it's a factos...
[image]
With the exception of PSG Players 😜🤪😀🙄
Trainingson
4
This is what you do when there is an opportunity to play for your dream club
Davidchris1999
0
almost every players dream to play for real Madrid. it's a factos...
[image]
Not Mbappe.
wiseman45
1
so Benzema rejected United and everything is ok but when mbappe rejects Madrid is problem
wiseman45
0
almost every players dream to play for real Madrid. it's a factos...
[image]
not mbappe lol
RaghibMustafa
6
almost every players dream to play for real Madrid. it's a factos...
Ripemnu
0
you are saying this after he(benzema)is in a better condition😹😹
Top assist maker in madrid history 2nd top scorer in Madrid’s history he has always been good
Yonaenrty
3
you are saying this after he(benzema)is in a better condition😹😹