Manchester United were keen on Karim Benzema five years ago[GETTY]
Benzema rose through the ranks with Lyon before moving to Real Madrid in the same year Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso arrived at the Bernebeu.
Then United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed with Benzema during a Champions League tie.
And Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said United wanted him, but Benzema preferred to join Real.
"For a long time he wanted to play one day at Real Madrid and when operations began to fall into place, we did not object," Aulas told Canal+.
Karim Benzema Player Profile
The proposal was superior to United's but he was given the opportunity to go where he wanted
Michel Aulas
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"The proposal was superior to Manchester United's but he was given the opportunity to go where he wanted.
"I am very happy for him. This is the best striker in La Liga and one of the best in the world.
"The criticism he has received are part of the life of a professional football player, but we had to be above it all."
Benzema has netted 116 goals in 246 appearances for Los Blancos.