Manchester United sit 12th in the Premier League and have already exited the Carabao Cup on their first appearance, after a loss to Brighton, a result that summarises the club's difficult start to the season.

Michael Carrick's side were on a run of three games without a win before the international break,, with the last-minute draw against Fulham preventing a third straight loss. 

The Red Devils are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur, who sit bottom of the league with two points, but a win for the London side would take them level on points with United. 

It is no surprise that the club is beginning to get linked to players to try to right the wrongs of the end of the summer transfer window. 

While he was in Europe, Karim Benzema has always been a player linked to Manchester United. From when he burst onto the scene with Lyon to even at the very end of his Real Madrid tenure as an experienced option. 

However, even during his move to Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, he has been rumoured to be returning to Europe. What has helped the case for a return to Europe is his acrimonious end to his time at Al Hilal leading to his contract termination, meaning he is available to sign for any club for free. 

The obvious sticking point would be the financial package he would request, given that he is a free agent. However, that has not stopped Rio Ferdinand from urging United to take a punt on the former Ballon d'Or winner.

He said on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, "If you had somebody up there who could share the minutes, share the load, help in terms of experience, lend that experience to Šeško for him to learn as well, you’d have been getting so much more out of just a signing to go and play the 90 minutes.

"Welbeck springs to mind, obviously; so does Benzema. Two players I feel would have added huge value to the forward line that we have."

The fact that he is available on a free transfer, a return to Europe, let alone joining Manchester United, feels unrealistic for both parties.

For Benzema, it feels the financial package that he would desire is something the club would not be prepared to offer, with the Red Devils moving away from the big-name and big-wage transfer model.

For United, signing a player of that age who has been away from the top five leagues, as well as for those wages and potential financial packages, would simply not align. 

While a striker is much needed for United, it feels as though signing a stopgap loan striker to fill the role of deputy to Sesko and then bringing in a permanent option for that role next summer feels much more realistic.