In a bid to address the goal-scoring challenges plaguing Man Utd, former star Louis Saha has fervently advocated for the acquisition of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, citing the veteran striker as the solution to the Red Devils’ woes.
Saha, a former France international forward, believes that the addition of his compatriot Benzema could provide a substantial boost to the beleaguered United side, currently grappling with a lack of firepower.
Expressing his concerns, Saha criticized the team management for what he perceives as a failure to offer sufficient support to Rasmus Hojlund in the attacking third, contributing to the young striker’s goal drought in his inaugural Premier League season.
Saha wants Man Utd to sign Karim Benzema in January
In an exclusive interview with BettingOdds.com, Saha asserted,
“He [Benzema] will shake up the United frontline, and that’s what they need. He will definitely score goals and link up the play a lot better. It’s just a dream, but Karim is still a very professional guy, he’s the type of striker that Hojlund will learn from, but that’s just a fantasy.”
Saha emphasized the unfair burden placed on Hojlund, expressing his belief that the young striker requires the guidance of an experienced player. Drawing from his own playing days alongside legends like Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Saha underscored the importance of mentorship for a striker’s development.
In the broader context, Manchester United have struggled with goal-scoring this season, finding the back of the net only 22 times in 20 matches. This puts them on par with Crystal Palace, with only Burnley and Sheffield United scoring fewer goals. Hojlund, who joined the club in the summer, recently broke his goal drought with a strike against Aston Villa on Christmas Eve.
As the team, led by manager Erik ten Hag, aims to rectify their goal-scoring woes, the prospect of securing Benzema could be a potential game-changer. With just one win in their last four Premier League games, United are gearing up for a crucial FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic on January 8, hoping to kickstart 2024 on a positive note.