France prodigy Karim Benzema has fired a warning shot to Manchester United by insisting Lyon have what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League this season.

Les Gones qualified for the tournament's knockout stages after recovering from an appalling start to their Group E campaign to finish second in their pool.

They were paired with English giants United in the last 32, with the double-header taking place at the end of February and start of March.

But striker Benzema, who is taking France by storm this season, is looking beyond that.

"The team has come from so far back in the Champions League that I am sure we can do something special," said the in-demand 20-year-old, who is the top scorer in Ligue 1 this campaign with 12 goals.

"All our players have to realise that we can win the Champions League.

"I hear all these critics who have a go at us for conceding too many goals, but going forward we can hurt whichever defence we come across."

Lyon top their domestic league, which they have won for the past six years, by four points heading into the resumption after the winter break.

They held a much bigger lead at the summit at this stage last year and, as a consequence, their performance levels dipped during January and the start of February.

Benzema is adamant history will not repeat itself this time round.

"I am convinced that we will not repeat what happened last year," he added in French daily L'Equipe.

"It's true that in January, we often experience a barren spell. But this year, it is a new team, a new story, and I am sure we will have good results in January.

"We are getting stronger and stronger and we are going to see another Lyon this time."