MANCHESTER UNITED have turned down the chance to land Karim Benzema.

The French striker, 36, has been touted around as he seeks an escape route from the Saudi Pro League after just six months.

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But despite having only one recognised centre-forward – Rasmus Hojlund - for the rest of the season, Man Utd refused to even enter talks.

That is due to what they claim are "exorbitant" sums involved in bringing the player, who earns £86million a YEAR, to Old Trafford.

United are being careful to pay attention to their own wage bill and budget to stay within Financial Fair Play guidelines.

Benzema moved to Al-Ittihad in the summer from Real Madrid on a free transfer.

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He has scored 12 goals in 20 games but his shift to the Middle East has not worked out as he would have wanted with his new club struggling in seventh place.

Benzema is club captain yet reported back from a winter break this month 17 days later than he was expected.

But this week he described claims he wants out of Saudi as "false".

United have only Hojlund available as an out-and-out striker with Anthony Martial set to miss the rest of the season.

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The French forward, 28, has had surgery on a groin complaint and will now undergo a long period of rest and rehabilitation.

His contract is up at the end of the season and there is no desire on the club’s part to trigger an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

He has made just five Premier League starts in the 2023/24 campaign and missed the last five games with illness.

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