Manchester United tried to sign Karim Benzema in 2009, reveals Michael Owen - who Sir Alex Ferguson told he would sign him if bid for Frenchman failed

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Michael Owen has revealed if Karim Benzema hadn't decided to join Real Madrid he would never have signed for Manchester United.

The former striker told Canal+ that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring Benzema to Old Trafford and that he was second choice to the Frenchman. 

Benzema, at that time, was playing for Lyon and was one of the hottest striker's around coming off the back of two impressive campaigns in Ligue 1 that saw him net 37 times in 72 games.

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Michael Owen 'thanked' Karim Benzema for playing a role in his move to Manchester United

He had a choice to join either United or Madrid and opted to move to Spain in a £25million switch in 2009, clearing the path for Owen to move from Newcastle to sign a deal with the Red Devils.

Owen rose to prominence in a goal-filled eight years with Liverpool and his move to one of their fiercest rivals did not go down too well with the Anfield faithful.

But it seems the former England international was desperate to play for United and even went as far as to 'thank' Benzema for opening the door for him.

Owen revealed Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring Benzema to Old Trafford from Lyon 

but he opted to sign for Real Madrid in a £25m deal in 2009 after two prolific seasons

Speaking to Canal+, he said: 'I've actually got something to thank Benzema for, he might not know but I wouldn't have gone to Manchester United if it wasn't for him.

'They wanted to buy Benzema [but] he chose Madrid. I was told by Sir Alex Ferguson that we want Benzema but if he doesn't come then you're coming, so I was pleading with him to go to Real Madrid, so thank you to him.' 

Owen spent three seasons at United where he was mainly reduced to substitute and cup appearances.

He scored five times in the 31 games he played for them, most famously a last minute winner against rivals City in the Premier League in 2009.

Which opened the door for Owen to sign for United, where he spent three seasons