'Signing Karim Benzema would lift the whole club' - Man Utd urged to seal transfer for Al-Ittihad outcast to help 'take pressure off' Rasmus Hojlund & reignite top-four bid

The 36-year-old has found it difficult to settle in Saudi Arabia and has been reported to be looking for an exit from the Middle Eastern country. Ince, who is regarded as one of the greatest English midfielders of all time, believes that the Red Devils should lure Benzema to Old Trafford as both Hojlund and Marcus Rashford have been misfiring since the beginning of the campaign.

Speaking to instantcasino.com, Ince said: "If Man United can get Karim Benzema, then you’re taking him all day long. Signing Benzema would lift the whole club, including the fans. I don’t care if he’s 36, he’s a world-class player. It would be great if the club could get him – it would take a lot of pressure off Hojlund and it could lift them into those top four places. He’s an out-and-out goalscorer – if he does leave the Saudi Pro League then there will be a few teams trying to sign him, that’s for sure.”

United splurged £72million ($90m) on Hojlund in the summer but the striker has only scored twice in 16 Premier League appearances to date. The hefty price tag adds to the pressure and Ince believes that Benzema's arrival would allow the youngster to express himself more freely.

"If Manchester United were to move for him (Benzema), it also takes the pressure off Rasmus Hojlund to a certain degree, who is still a young striker who would prefer to have a senior player to look up to," the former United midfielder added.

"The pressure wouldn’t be on him to score every time he plays, and he can spend his time in training learning from one of the best. It would be a great bit of business for United if they could sign him, it really would."

In a significant development, Benzema has brushed aside the speculations of leaving Al-Ittihad. He blamed the French media for spreading lies and denied that he had handed in a transfer request to the club.

It remains to be seen if United choose to pursue Benzema in the final week of the January transfer window. They have looked short of resources in attack and getting on board a striker with Benzema's experience would be a massive boost to Erik Ten Hag ahead of the business end of the season.