Benzema snubs United: My style is suited to Spain

Benzema is on Ferguson's list of summer targets after helping Lyon to the top of the French League and scoring in the 1-1 draw with United in the Champions League last week.

But the France striker had bad news for Ferguson and other suitors such as Chelsea when he revealed he dislikes the direct style of the Barclays Premier League and would prefer a move to Spain or Italy.

Benzema told Sportsmail: 'My current deal with Lyon finishes in June 2012 but if things keep moving on this good trajectory then I believe I'll be sold at some stage.

'Like any professional, I think it's great to progress. If we could win the Champions League that would be perfect, then I could leave with a clear conscience. In recent months my name has been linked to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Manchester United have appeared.

'That is high praise and I'm sure I'd be able to play in England. But I believe my style is perhaps better suited for Spain or Italy. I want to experience new tactics and systems. I don't want to play that direct game all the time.

'The president of Lyon has insisted I'm not for sale and has valued me at 90million euros. That is incredible.'

Wary Lyon have accused Ferguson of trying to unsettle the 20-yearold but the United boss sought to play down the situation, saying: 'When you're asked about a player, you give an honest opinion. We said Benzema was a good player, his team-mate (Hatem) Ben Arfa is a good player, Juninho's a good player and so on.'

Benzema looked ahead to Tuesday night's Champions League return leg by claiming that Lyon deserved to win the first game.

He said: 'The 1-1 score was not just and Carlos Tevez's goal in the last minute was very painful for us. The match in Manchester will be difficult but Lyon have no fear.'

United travel to Fulham today in the wake of last weekend's drubbing of Newcastle and leaders Arsenal's failure to win at Birmingham.

Asked if Arsenal conceding a late goal and dropping two points would prove pivotal, Ferguson said: 'I don't know about all the Arsenal players but I wouldn't like to lose a last-minute goal myself.

'I still think points will be dropped. It's inevitable. That's why I think the games involving the top three are going to be very important. They could swing the title.'

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson revealed Ferguson could have had his job at Inter Milan in the Nineties if he had wanted it. Hodgson said: 'I'm pretty sure before I went to Inter that he could have had that job.

'In a chase between Hodgson and Ferguson, I don't think there would have been much doubt where the choice would have landed! But when you're at Manchester United winning trophies, you don't need to go to Inter, Barcelona or Real Madrid.'

Fulham could be seven points adrift of safety if other results go against them and United beat them at Craven Cottage.

But a defiant Hodgson said: 'We've got to believe our own way of playing is at least sufficiently good to hang on to United's coat tails. We won't throw in the towel.'