Manchester United 'rule out January move for Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema'

Amid persistent calls to bolster their attacking ranks midway through the campaign, it was reported over the weekend that the Red Devils were considering a shock approach for Benzema.

Marquee summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has only managed two Premier League goals under Erik ten Hag so far, while the out-of-favour Anthony Martial has been missing for several weeks owing to an unspecified health problem.

Ten Hag has refused to disclose the nature of Martial's illness, only recently stating that the Frenchman was receiving "medical treatment", and he will seemingly be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Martial is also expected to head for the Old Trafford exit door when his contract runs out at the end of the month, although the former Monaco man supposedly wants to stay and fight for his spot in the second half of the season rather than depart in the current window.

In spite of uncertainty over Martial's future and Hojlund's Premier League struggles, The Mirror claims that Man United are not planning on trying to lure Benzema to the Premier League this month.

The 36-year-old surprisingly called time on his celebrated Real Madrid career over the summer to join Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, with whom he has registered 12 goals and five assists in his opening 20 appearances.

Despite Benzema's contributions, Al-Ittihad have endured a miserable start to their title defence, sitting seventh in the Saudi Pro League table with 28 points from 18 games, a staggering 25 worse off than leaders Al-Hilal.

Each of Al-Ittihad's last three top-flight matches have ended in defeat, and Benzema is reported to have suffered a breakdown in his relationship with Marcelo Gallardo, having failed to report for a winter training camp.

Benzema was subsequently left out of Al-Ittihad's trip to Dubai, and while his contract at Al-Ittihad is valid until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, he is facing an increasingly uncertain future in Saudi Arabia.

A return to Europe would supposedly interest the former Lyon attacker, but Man United harbour concerns about his age first and foremost, as Benzema will celebrate his 37th birthday in December.

Furthermore, the Red Devils are in no position to keep Benzema on his yearly £86m wage, and as a result, no representatives from the club have been in touch with the striker's entourage.

Man United's winter business is expected to be focused on outgoings rather than incomings due to Financial Fair Play constraints, but Erik ten Hag has affirmed that his side must be open to appropriate loan deals.

The Red Devils added to their attacking ranks midway through the 2022-23 season with the loan capture of Wout Weghorst from Burnley and Marcel Sabitzer from Borussia Dortmund, but the former scored just twice in 31 games during an unsuccessful spell.

Meanwhile, all of Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri have completed loan exits from the club this month, and the latter's switch to Sevilla also includes a permanent option.