Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Manchester United tried to sign Karim Benzema in 2009, reveals Michael Owen - who Sir Alex Ferguson told he would sign him if bid for Frenchman failed

Michael Owen has revealed if Karim Benzema hadn't decided to join Real Madrid he would never have signed for Manchester United.

The former striker told Canal+ that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring Benzema to Old Trafford and that he was second choice to the Frenchman.

Benzema, at that time, was playing for Lyon and was one of the hottest striker's around coming off the back of two impressive campaigns in Ligue 1 that saw him net 37 times in 72 games.

Scroll down for video

Michael Owen 'thanked' Karim Benzema for playing a role in his move to Manchester United
Michael Owen 'thanked' Karim Benzema for playing a role in his move to Manchester United

He had a choice to join either United or Madrid and opted to move to Spain in a £25million switch in 2009, clearing the path for Owen to move from Newcastle to sign a deal with the Red Devils.