Karim Benzema has spent five years at Real Madrid.
French superstar Karim Benzema was offered the chance to join Manchester United in 2009 by then manager Sir Alex Ferguson but decided to move to Real Madrid instead, the Daily Star reports.
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The news comes from Jean Michel-Aulas, who is president of Lyon, Benzema’s former club.
The French chief claims the front man was given the opportunity to move to any club he wanted and choose Real over United because the Spanish giants made him a superior offer.
“For a long time he wanted to play one day at Real Madrid and when operations began to fall into place, we did not object,” Aulas told Canal+.
“The proposal was superior to Manchester United’s but he was given the opportunity to go where he wanted.
“I am very happy for him. This is the best striker in La Liga and one of the best in the world.
“The criticism he has received are part of the life of a professional football player, but we had to be above it all.”
Despite scoring 24 goals for the Champions League holders last season, Benzema has come in for strong criticism from Los Blancos fans because of a supposed wastefulness in front of goal.
Recent reports have suggested that the 26-year-old could be sold by Real next summer with Arsenal and Liverpool both interested in his signature.
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