Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United should pursue a move for free agent Karim Benzema to bolster their options in attack. The former United defender says the club lacks a focal point in forward areas, with Benjamin Sesko struggling with injury and Joshua Zirkzee seemingly out of favour.
United's attacking concerns
United made it a priority to strengthen in central midfield over the summer transfer window, but that approach has left Michael Carrick’s squad thin in other areas of the pitch. Luke Shaw is the club’s only senior left-back, while Sesko’s injury problems have highlighted the Red Devils’ lack of depth up front.
Sesko is yet to start a Premier League game this season and missed the 1-1 draw with Fulham prior to the international break due to a recurrence of his shin injury. With Zirkzee seemingly unfancied by Carrick, it has been Matheus Cunha who has been deployed as a makeshift striker for the opening stretch of the season. The Brazilian opened his league account for the season against Fulham, but Ferdinand believes United would benefit from a more ‘focal’ presence at the top of the pitch.
Ferdinand names Benzema as solution
Asked if United should have signed a striker this summer, Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: ‘If you knew you had to manage his [Sesko] minutes, I totally agree with you. Without him, there isn’t really a focal point. ‘We’ve got players that want to come deep to the ball more often than not and get involved in the build-up, and then you lose that focal point out there.
‘But if you had somebody up there who could share the minutes, share the load, help in terms of experience, lend that experience to Sesko for him to learn as well, you’d have been getting so much more out of just a signing to go and play the 90 minutes.
‘Welbeck springs to mind, obviously, so does Benzema. Two players I feel would have added huge value to the forward line that we have.’
Benzema's availability and United's next fixture
Benzema scored 10 goals in his 12 league games at Al Hilal before his contract was terminated after only six months at the club. The former Real Madrid striker remains a free agent after leaving the Saudi Pro League side in the summer. Ollie Watkins was signed from Aston Villa over the summer as the Frenchman’s replacement.
United, meanwhile, will host Tottenham after the international break as they look to end their three-game winless run in all competitions.
