Cristian Eriksen is truly torn between joining Manchester United and returning to Brentford, which speaks everything about how far Manchester United has fallen from their throne at the pinnacle of English football....CONTINUE READING
When United came calling for a player in the past, during the all-conquering years of Sir Alex Ferguson, it was an absolute no-brainer — Old Trafford was the overwhelming destination of choice for anyone worth their salt.
There wasn’t much to consider when United and Ferguson came for you as serial Champions League winners and contenders playing in front of 75,000 spectators every week.
However, Eriksen’s uncertainty over whether to move to Manchester or stay in London to take part in the new period under Erik ten Hag best captures United’s dramatic decline.
Given that United sorely needs the attributes Eriksen brings and that ten Hag has a constrained summer transfer budget of £120 million, a move for the free agent makes sense. Only Bruno Fernandes, a nominal No. 10 midfielder, has the cunning to penetrate defenses and create spaces for Cristiano Ronaldo to score goals in the United offense.
At a time when United has few realistic choices in the transfer market, Eriksen’s eye for a pass and ability to create something from nothing would surely help United. Frenkie de Jong’s chase by United has stalled as a result of their refusal to overpay for the Barcelona midfielder, therefore it would be wise to sign Eriksen as a free agent.
United has to restock and Erkisen fits the bill after losing five first-team players this summer, including four midfielders in Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard.
The international player from Denmark is only 30 years old and still has a lot to offer. He has made an incredible recovery from the cardiac arrest he experienced during his nation’s opening match at Euro 2020 last summer.
It is unclear if Eriksen and Fernandes might line up together, but given that ten Hag is known to like a 4-3-3 style, the two could play either side of a holding midfielder.
Eriksen guided Brentford to a respectable 13th place finish in the Premier League, proving that their choice to hand him a short-term contract in the second half of last season paid off.
The Bees managed seven victories out of the 10 games he started, compared to just six in the 28 he did not, and their goal ratio increased after Eriksen joined the team in January.
Since making his first start for Brentford in a 3-1 victory at Norwich on March 5, he has been ranked third in the Premier League for chances created and passes made into the final third.
Eriksen also completed the entire 90 minutes in three of Denmark’s most recent four UEFA Nations League contests, dispelling any concerns about his long-term health. Outside of the field, Eriksen and his family reside in London, where he spent seven years at Tottenham as well as his time at Brentford. He is reportedly hesitant to move his family to Manchester.
Eriksen must also choose where he will play the most in the months leading up to the World Cup in order to arrive in Qatar match-fit and ready to perform at his peak for Denmark.
Eriksen will make the final decision. It is obvious that United could use a player of his skill on their team and that they are interested in getting him. It remains to be seen if Eriksen shares this opinion and decides that joining United will be best for his career.
If he decides on London, it will be yet more slap in the face to the battered dignity of fallen giants United, who are still without a signing for the summer.
