Michael Owen Reveals Karim Benzema Was The Reason He Signed For Manchester United

Michael Owen revealed the only reason he had the chance to move to Manchester United was due to Karim Benzema picking Real Madrid over the Premier League side.

Back in 2009, Florentino Perez had an incredible summer of transfer activity for Real, breaking the world transfer record twice as he built a new era of Galacticos.

Cristiano Ronaldo was signed from United just days after Kaka's move from AC Milan had first broken the record but the spending didn't end there.

If that pair wasn't enough for Los Blancos, they also spent another £30 million signing Benzema from Lyon, after the Frenchman impressed in Ligue 1.

Real did have to battle with United to sign the striker, with Sir Alex Ferguson desperate to land the man who scored against his team in the Champions League.

Instead Fergie had to make do with signing Owen for free, having left Newcastle United, and, on Wednesday, the former Liverpool striker revealed he was always aware he was second choice.

"I only came to United because he [Benzema] chose Real Madrid instead of United," Owen told BT Sport ahead of Real's Champions League semi final with Chelsea.

"The first time I got a call from Sir Alex Ferguson, he said 'We want to sign Benzema, if we don't get him... [we're getting you]'"

Owen's injury time winner in a Manchester derby means United fans will always have some affection towards him. Image: PA Images

Fergie's side came up against Benzema just over a year prior to his move to the Bernabeu, when they played Lyon in the Champions League last 16.

The striker scored the opening goal of the tie in France, before United went on to win the second leg and eventually win the competition, and Rio Ferdinand revealed the legendary Scotsman wanted to sign Benzema from that first game.

"The first I played against him, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him," Ferdinand told BT as he watched a replay of his defending for the goal Benzema scored against United.

"He was speaking to him in the tunnel after the game and Lyon officials had to pull him away. His movement that day was brilliant."

Benzema battling with Ferdinand's defensive partner Nemanja Vidic. Image: PA Images

The signing proved to be very important for Real, with the striker proving the perfect foil for Ronaldo all the years the pair played together.

Since the five time Ballon d'Or winner move to Juventus, his former teammate has become the main man in the Spanish capital.

Topics: Manchester United, Ligue 1, Premier League, Footbal, Michael Owen, Karim Benzema, Lyon, Real Madrid, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

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