Karim Benzema has admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Real Madrid helped him get back to his goal-scoring best, which may bode well for Manchester United if he leaves this summer.
One of the biggest disruptions Erik ten Hag has faced in the early stages of his United reign has been Ronaldo's desire to leave the club just a year on from his return. It's understood that a lack of Champions League football, the club's lack of progress in the transfer window and a 25 per cent pay cut enforced on the squad after failing to make the top four have fuelled his wish to depart.
The Portuguese missed the majority of pre-season due to family reasons and then earned criticism from the manager after leaving the friendly with Rayo Vallecano early. He didn't start in the opening weekend defeat to Brighton but did come on early in the second half.
ALSO READ: United weighing up Sergej Milinkovic-Savic bid
United have maintained that Ronaldo is not for sale, while no suitors have yet to come forward, but the prospect of losing him is a daunting one given the lack of attacking options at Ten Hag's disposal. With Anthony Martial injured and Ronaldo not fit enough to play 90 minutes, Ten Hag played Christian Eriksen up front against Brighton which backfired massively.
However, Madrid talisman Benzema has discussed how he was able to get back amongst the goals once Ronaldo left the Bernabeu and there's a chance his potential exit from United could have a similar impact on some of the players left behind. And the Frenchman admits that when Ronaldo left he knew it was "time to change my game".
"It’s true that I’ve scored many more goals," Benzema said ahead of the UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night. "But when Cristiano was here, we had a different style of play, I was providing more assists. He really helped me on and off the pitch. But at that time, I did know that I could do more and when he left, it was the time to change my game, change my ambitions and I am doing that well at the moment."
United are scrambling to add attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes in just over three weeks' time but have been unsuccessful so far. They have pulled out of a controversial move for Marko Arnautovic due to fan backlash and Bologna's stiff asking price while Benjamin Sesko has opted to join RB Leipzig.
READ MORE:
