Benzema Would Join United Ahead Of Madrid

Last updated : 25 June 2009 By editor

L'Equipe's chief football writer Eric Bielderman, quoted in the Evening News.

"If Karim stays at Lyon then he is sure to be Lyon's regular front man and France's first-choice striker at the World Cup if we qualify. But if he goes to United and is in competition with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and whoever else they may buy up- front then he might lose some confidence if things are not going well as he settles into a new club, a new league and a new country for the first time in his career.

"That would probably jeopardise his international standing. It would be a big challenge for him. So leaving Lyon would be a gamble. That's his main concern. But that's not to say he is unambitious or lacking in self belief. Not at all. He is a very confident guy and very sure of himself and his qualities.

"He might consider that to take it onto the next stage, then he has to move. He had touched the very top in French football, winning the league with Lyon but last season was a bit boring for him. Lyon were not champions and he might now be tempted by a challenge and be prepared to take the World Cup risk.

"United would suit him better than Real. United are a serious club and Sir Alex Ferguson a serious manager when it comes to developing young talent. He wants to improve and I think he could do that better in United's atmosphere rather than Real's Galactico-driven new era. He'd have more capacity to take his game on and be a regular with United. It would be less of a gamble for him to go to Old Trafford rather than the Bernabeu.

"He'd also be fine in the Premier League. He's quick, skilful and clever but can also protect himself from the physical challenges. He's got the ability and adaptability to play up-front or in a wider forward position like Rooney or Thierry Henry."