This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/26/karim-benzema-target-manchester-united

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema emerges as target for Manchester United Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema emerges as target for Manchester United
(35 minutes later)
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. Karim Benzema is being monitored by Louis van Gaal, with the Real Madrid player viewed by the Manchester United manager as an answer to their goalscoring problems. If he does decide to make a move for the striker, who would cost in the region of £40m, they may have to fight off interest from Arsenal.
If Van Gaal does decide to make a move for Benzema, who would cost in the region of £40m, he may have to fight off interest from Arsenal as their manager, Arsène Wenger, retains an interest in the player. The United goalkeeper David De Gea, who is valued at up to £30m, could well be used as a makeweight in any deal.
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. Although Benzema signed a five-year contract last summer there is widespread uncertainty at Real now that Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as head coach.
Rafael Benítez, currently at Napoli, is considered the favourite to replace the Italian. 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.
Related: Manchester United’s target Nicolás Otamendi set to force Valencia exitRelated: Manchester United’s target Nicolás Otamendi set to force Valencia exit
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. Rafael Benítez, who is leaving Napoli at the end of the season, is considered the favourite to replace the Italian at the Bernabéu and several Real players’ futures are in doubt, which may make it easier for Van Gaal to land Benzema should he firm up his interest.
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. Benzema, who scored 22 goals in 46 Real appearances this season and had 10 assists, is an established France international. At the Bernabéu he has won the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup. At Lyon he also won four French titles.
Van Gaal is determined that next season United will have a formidable strike force 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. Now aged 27, Benzema also appeared at two European Championships and two World Cups and while considered to be at his peak, he would be expected to provide the firepower Van Gaal considers is missing from United’s squad.
Chelsea, the champions, registered 11 more goals with 73 than United and second-placed Manchester City, the top-scorers, managed 83, 21 better than Van Gaal’s team. Van Gaal is determined that next season they will have an attack that can make them serious title contenders. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and James Wilson managed only 26 league goals between them as United finished in fourth place last season.
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. Falcao’s paltry return of four was a telling factor in the decision to allow the centre-forward to return to Monaco following a year-long loan. 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, that could rise to two. However the situation is fluid as Javier Hernández may return from loan at Real Madrid and finally be given a chance to prove himself.
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.