Karim Benzema 'excluded from Al Ittihad training camp amid Manchester United links'

Karim Benzema will reportedly not feature in Al Ittihad's upcoming training camp amid speculation regarding a surprise January exit.

In the summer, Benzema ended his long-term association with Real Madrid in order to make the switch to the Middle East.

The 36-year-old has since scored 11 goals from his 19 appearances for the Saudi Pro League outfit, with those strikes coming in three different competitions.

However, things have been fair from plain-sailing since his arrival, last season's champions already a mammoth 25 points adrift of leaders Al-Hilal in the standings.

Furthermore, Nuno Espirito Santo was removed from his position as head coach, with the Portuguese having been replaced by Marcelo Gallardo.

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There is the hope that the Argentine can instigate a change in fortunes for Al Ittihad, yet just four wins have been posted in his opening nine matches in charge.

Al Ittihad now have a break in action until February 7, with a mid-season training camp in Dubai currently scheduled to begin on Sunday.

According to Marca, though, Benzema will play no part of the trip after being excluded from the squad.

The report claims that Benzema failed to attend club facilities as expected on January 12, prompting Gallardo to take action and leave him out of the upcoming trip.

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Speculation has emerged that Manchester United are monitoring the situation as they consider ways how to improve their forward line before the end of the current transfer window.

Benzema has allegedly already missed training on three separate occasions in recent times, adding weight to talk that he may depart Al Ittihad in the foreseeable future.

That said, the Frenchman is on a lucrative contract until 2026 and it is unclear how that situation would be handled with Man United or any other team unable to meet those figures.

While Al Ittihad are not competitive in the race for the Saudi Pro League title, they have reached the last 16 of the AFC Champions League, where they will face Navbahor Namangan next month.