CAN KARIMA BENZIMA SUIT TO PLAY ON MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema, Bastian Schweinsteiger NICK AKERMAN JUNE 11, 2015 Getty Images Manchester United "are interested" in signing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and will use Los Blancos' attempts to capture David De Gea to pursue the French forward. Mark Ogden of the Telegraph expects Madrid to "formalise attempts to sign" De Gea after the current international break. He suggests Benzema may be used as "leverage" and that United will use "any opportunity" to secure his signature. The 27-year-old's arrival would certainly soften the blow of losing De Gea. Benzema is an often overlooked star in Madrid's side because his goalscoring numbers don't compare to Cristiano Ronaldo's and he isn't as flamboyant as Gareth Bale. MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Karim Benzema (R) of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Roman Neustadter (L) of FC Schalke 04 during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Schalke 04 at Estadio Santiago Berna Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images He is a quality hold-up man and distributor of the ball, however, someone who could bring new United signing Memphis Depay into proceedings by spreading play. Benzema is also a classy finisher and surprisingly elegant for a physical player who can dominate in the air. He netted 21 goals and provided 11 assists across 38 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League during the 2014-15 season, per WhoScored.com. James Ducker of the Times doubts whether United can land the player: Benzema could play alongside Depay or Wayne Rooney in an attacking duo or spearhead the side in manager Louis van Gaal's preferred 4-3-3. Spanish publication AS (h/t Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail) suggests new Madrid boss Rafa Benitez will hand Ronaldo a striker's role next season, meaning Benzema could face the prospect of rotation at the Bernabeu. This wouldn't be ideal heading into his nation's hosting of Euro 2016, in which he is expected to be a leading figure. The former Lyon man has also been linked with Arsenal, noted by Charles Perrin of the Express, who cites the Telegraph for his report. B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently discussed which English club is more likely to sign him: Van Gaal will be eyeing improvements across the entire team and needs to combine experience with youthful exuberance next campaign. Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's name continues to crop up as a potential target, such as in the Daily Mail (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Mirror). Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested the Bundesliga champions will only sell if Schweinsteiger makes his intentions to leave clear, as quoted in Mackay's relaying of the initial Mail report: "I don't know if the story has weight. But from our point of view it's clear: we would only consider a transfer if Bastian were to confront us with a concrete wish. That's not the case." James Robson of the Manchester Evening News believes Van Gaal will primarily target younger players but that Schweinsteiger could be key: Matthias Schrader/Associated Press The 2014 World Cup winner would provide a top-class alternative to Michael Carrick in United's midfield, someone he could also partner. Van Gaal needs to add steel to his centre and would be wise to lure one of the men with whom he worked at the Allianz Arena. United completed the first phase of their post-David Moyes transition by qualifying for next season's Champions League. Additional numbers and quality are now key to helping the side improve. Becoming a continental force once again is going to be a long, difficult progress, but players such as Benzema and Schweinsteiger could make the difference. RELATED Fantasy PL: Tips and Bargains in Every Position Man City: Foden's Actions 'Totally Inappropriate' Man Utd 'Disappointed' with Greenwood Ibrahimovic Calls Sweden Coach a 'F--king Joke' Sponsored Content