Don’t go to Manchester United – Kareem Benzema warns Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has been warned off a potential summer move to Manchester United by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Monaco’s teenage striker has shot to prominence this season on the back of an impressive Champions League campaign that has seen the Ligue 1 leaders account for Premier League heavyweights Tottenham and Manchester City.

Mbappe, who is primed to make his senior France debut against Luxembourg this evening, has scored 10 goals in his last seven games in all competitions and has been heavily linked with a summer move to one of Europe’s giants.

Benzema, who moved from Lyon to Real Madrid when he was just 21, has warned Mbappe, however, of the pitfalls of transferring abroad at such a young age.

‘I’ve been told he is a phenomenon, a very good player,’ said Benzema.

‘Honestly, I still haven’t seen him. He’s a young player. Football is really hard, especially at big clubs.

‘I arrived at Madrid at 21. I had already done a lot of things at Lyon, but when I got here I got a slap in the face.

‘My first year was too difficult. You’re far from your family, it’s not the same.

‘Those who are next to you are there to take your place. It’s very difficult. But from what people have said, he’s a very good player, and I hope he’ll have a great career, little by little.

‘I think you mustn’t leave too soon. Things go well, but the day when it goes less well, that’s the problem.

‘He’s 18, how do you handle it when it doesn’t go as well, when people don’t speak as well about you, when you’re put under pressure?’