Benzema to Man Utd set up after major injury update

Robin Bairner

• 24 Jan 2024 12:48 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s need for Karim Benzema at the club has increased after a major injury blow was announced by the Old Trafford club.

Anthony Martial will miss the next 10 weeks of action for the Red Devils after undergoing groin surgery, ruling him out until April and ending the hopes of Erik ten Hag’s side recouping any transfer fee for a player who has struggled to find his best form for years.

“Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates,” United said via a statement on their official website.

“We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.”

United, meanwhile, have been left with only Rasmus Hojlund as a natural option in the centre-forward area, with the out-of-form Marcus Rashford now backup in that area. Hojlund, meanwhile, may have scored in his last two Premier League matches, but he has struggled to settle after a €74 million move from Atalanta in the summer.

Although the fact that Ten Hag’s side were knocked out of Europe lessens the importance of bringing in another forward this month, there is little doubt that Hojlund needs relief.

Benzema is the best option on the market in this regard. The Al-Ittihad striker has made it clear that he wishes to depart the Saudi Pro League, at least on a temporary basis, and if United are serious about qualifying for the Champions League next season, they require a player of his calibre in their squad.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are circling for the France international, as well as Lyon, and it would be little short of negligent of the Red Devils if they were to overlook him on a temporary basis.

Everything is set up for the deal, it is now up to Man Utd's board to find a way to make it happen.

Martial to bid a sad goodbye to Man Utd

Martial, meanwhile, may have played his last game for Man Utd due to his latest injury issue.

It represents a sad but fitting end to his time at Old Trafford, which started so brightly after he signed on a €60m deal from Monaco in the summer of 2016.

He netted 11 Premier League goals in his first season at the club before going on to experience a career-best campaign in 2019/20, when he bagged 17 in only 32 outings in England’s top flight.

Such form, though, proved fleeting as he has been beset by injury problems and a loss of form that has seen him bag only 19 goals since the middle of 2020.