“[Karim] Benzema, How Can You Say No?” – Rio Ferdinand Urges Manchester United to Land Disgruntled Al Ittihad Star

It did not take long for Karim Benzema‘s move to Al Ittihad to become a disaster. While many expected the player to make an impact, the Frenchman is already looking for a way out of the club. Al Ittihad fans have surprisingly turned on the player despite his decent efforts. With the ex-Real Madrid talisman willing to leave Saudi Arabia, Premier League side Manchester United has emerged as one of the rumored destinations for the player. Ex-club icon Rio Ferdinand touched down on the rumor on his podcast, giving his stamp of approval over a potential transfer.

Things have not gone Benzema’s way since Al Ittihad’s shambolic loss to Al Nassr. While it looked like things were not working out between the Frenchman and the club, the defeat worsened things between the Al Ittihad skipper and manager Marcelo Gallardo. Benzema was reportedly frustrated with the manager’s constant criticism and ditched the team’s training sessions during the mid-season break.

Rio Ferdinand endorses Manchester United’s interest in Karim Benzema

The ongoing transfer window has been a little quiet, with teams not willing to shell out massive cash. However, Manchester United could be in for one of the biggest transfers this winter with the side allegedly interested in the services of Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema. Club legend Rio Ferdinand seemed pretty confident about the deal, stating, “We’ve done it with Cristiano, we’ve done it with Falcao, we’ve done it with Cavani, we’ve done it with Zlatan. Listen, Benzema… how can you say no? How can you say no to that signing?

However, Ferdinand did question the team’s finances, adding, “Probably not, that’s what I mean. That’s why I don’t see it. I’d be very surprised. But one thing I would say, there’s one person who needs that more than anyone else around and that’s Hojlund. He needs somebody to look and learn from.”

With Karim Benzema at an eye-watering wage at Al Ittihad, it will be interesting to see if Manchester United has the financial firepower to sanction the deal. A move to Old Trafford could be a nice way for the Frenchman to have a fresh start in the final stages of his career.

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Benzema reportedly stripped off of captaincy at Al Ittihad

Things have started to break down for Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad. The former Ballon d’Or winner joined the Saudi Arabian outfit last summer but could be on his way out of his club this January. Benzema has also been reportedly stripped of captaincy at the club after ditching the team’s training sessions during the mid-season break.

The relationship with Karim Benzema and Marcelo Gallardo has also soured in recent weeks, with the player frustrated by the manager’s constant public criticism. It will be interesting to see if Al Ittihad decides to wash their hands with the player this winter, with multiple clubs interested in the player’s signatures.

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