It is notoriously well-known that Manchester United tried to sign Real Madrid star Karim Benzema back in 2009 when it was only possible to imagine the heights he would go on to reach as a striker.
Claiming the Ballon d'Or 2022 this week, the 34-year-old has seemingly reached the peak of his powers, 18 years after bursting onto the scene in Ligue 1 with Lyon. Having now netted 400 goals for club and country, it is no wonder Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen on bringing him to Old Trafford.
Ferguson's first glimpses of Benzema up close would have no doubt come when the two sides met in the 2007/08 Champions League, as United progressed 2-1 on aggregate. It was the Frenchman who scored Lyon's goal in the home leg, as his sheer strength and deadly finishing were beginning to be talked about in and around European football.
