Lyon accuse Reds
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Papers: Lyon accuse Reds
28/02/2008 09:36
Boss admits Benzema interest
Sir Alex Ferguson was last night accused of trying to unsettle Lyon striker Karim Benzema by admitting he is keen to sign him for £30million. Fergie confirmed his interest in Benzema ahead of Manchester United's Champions League meeting with Lyon, a tactic the French club's president claimed was deliberately designed to unsettled the 20-year-old. Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulus, who hosted Fergie three weeks ago when the United boss went to watch the French champions ahead of their European meeting, turned on the Scot. Aulus said: "When Lyon, during the season, are interested in a player from another French club, everybody cries 'scandal'. But when, a few days before playing Manchester United, I read here and there that Ferguson is going to make an offer for Benzema, is that not destabilisation?" Despite United's interest, Benzema is under contract until 2012 and has claimed he wants to stay at Lyon for at least one more full season, although his club would be unable to turn down a £30m bid.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
Ahead of the second leg clash with Lyon, The Sun claims skipper Cris will miss the game at Old Trafford through injury.
In other news, The Sun reckons United and Liverpool are eyeing Peterborough’s 6ft 5in goalkeeper Joe Lewis. Sir Alex Ferguson and Kop chief executive Rick Parry were at Wrexham on Tuesday night to see Lewis in action. -
Ar damn, learning bad things from Real.
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Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:
Ar damn, learning bad things from Real.
Ya lor.. now they want offer ronnie world record deal
sian...
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Reds quell Benzema rumours
Sir Alex Ferguson has moved to clear the air between United and Lyon over speculation linking the French club’s star striker Karim Benzema with a move to Old Trafford.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas complained that United have expressed an interest in the highly-rated 20-year-old striker, which they say is “destabilising”.
But the Reds boss says he has never publicly said that he wants to sign Benzema, and instead has merely commented on his qualities as a player and the threat he poses to United’s hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter finals.
“When you are asked about the quality of a player, you give an honest opinion,” said Sir Alex.
“He is a good player. But we have said the same about Juninho, [Hatem] Ben Arf, and [Jeremy] Toulalan.
"I think [Aulas] is being a little bit mischievous. We have never said that we are interested in Benzema. I haven’t said it yet, and I don’t say we are interested now."