SeeMyVision#1682
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has hit out at Alex Ferguson for trying to "destabilise" his club ahead of their Champions League last 16 clash.
In the build-up to last week's first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Ferguson made no secret of his admiration for young striker Karim Benzema, who went on to net a superb goal in the game at the Stade Gerland.
The talented 20-year-old's performance was impressive and did nothing to quell rumours that United are lining up a summer swoop.
But Aulas claims the speculation did not help his side's preparations for the game, claiming Ferguson - who was also spotted chatting to Benzema and Gerard Houllier in the tunnel at full time - has got away with his unsettling tactics.
Aulas said in the Daily Mirror: "When Lyon, during the season, are interested in a player from another French club, everybody cries 'scandal'.
"But when, a few days before playing Manchester United, I read here and there that Ferguson is going to make an offer for Benzema, is that not destabilisation?"
While Aulas is keen to hold on to his prize asset, he is well known for letting his best players leave Lyon if the price is right.
The likes of Eric Abidal, Mahamadou Diarra, Florent Malouda and Michael Essien have all been allowed to quit the French champions - despite assurances at the time from Aulas that they were untransferable - for considerable sums.
Arsenal are also believed to be interested in capturing Benzema, who is Ligue 1's top scorer so far this season and has three international goals in nine games for France.
Lyon travel to Old Trafford for the second leg of the tie on March 4, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
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