Man Utd legends Cole and Robson comment on Eriksen signing...CONTINUE READING
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Back in the summer, Erik ten Hag made it clear Christian Eriksen would be a key player for Manchester United. And while some such as Rio Ferdinand raised their eyebrows over a deal for the Denmark international, the Red Devils boss has already been proven right.
His performances since joining, as well as his recent masterclass against France, means he’s virtually certain to start the club’s crunch Premier League showdown with Manchester City on Sunday.
Few expected Eriksen to ever play football again after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the European Championships last summer.
However, Brentford’s decision to give the Denmark international a short-term contract paid off – with the midfielder shining as they finished a commendable 13th in the Premier League table.
His performances at the Gtech Community Stadium showed Eriksen wasn’t done yet. Far from it, with his three assists proof his everlasting talents.
And he’s made a sublime start to his United career, despite initially struggling in different roles during his first two matches for the club.
The 30-year-old, who was eyed by Sir Alex Ferguson a decade ago, has become one of the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet during their time in Manchester together.
He’s particularly come good during their recent matches with Arsenal and Sheriff, producing man of the match displays in both as the Red Devils claimed all three points.
Man Utd transfers: Two players stopped the club making more signings
And Eriksen made the headlines again on Sunday night as he sparkled in Denmark’s 2-0 win over France in the Nations League.
Two of his passes, in particular, went viral.
And out of all of United’s summer signings, it’s Eriksen who has looked the best of the bunch so far.
The former Tottenham and Inter Milan star, as mentioned above, experienced difficulties upon first joining United due to being played in the wrong position.
He was subdued as a false 9 in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, picked at a time where Cristiano Ronaldo was struggling to regain full match fitness.
And Eriksen experienced a horrendous afternoon at the office as he and his team-mates were battered 4-0 in his return to Brentford.
Since then, however, he’s bounced back.
He was slick and composed as United got the better of Liverpool, beating their fierce rivals 2-1 at Old Trafford to kickstart their season.
Since then, he’s not looked back.
Eriksen stood out as United got the better of Leicester in a 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium, shining amid the heat of the battle as they secured a vital win at a ground they’ve struggled at in recent years.
Want the new Man Utd shirt? Click here to buy it.
Against Arsenal, however, he was a cut above everybody else on the field as United ended the Gunners’ unbeaten run at the start of the new season.
United did start Eriksen in the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad.
It was telling, however, that the La Liga giants found the net via a penalty once the Denmark international had been withdrawn at half time.
And Eriksen provided an assist as United beat Sheriff 2-0 before the international break, with Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho both on target.
United will go up against City looking to beat Pep Guardiola’s side for the first time in nearly two years.
Man Utd fixtures: When Erik ten Hag’s team face every Premier League team
And, barring an injury or sudden change of tactics from Ten Hag, the midfielder is primed to start.
It’ll be intriguing to see who Ten Hag deploys alongside Eriksen, however, with United’s midfield starting to come good.
Scott McTominay has been a player reborn, with Eriksen’s presence in the middle of the park helping the Scotland international to focus solely on his defensive duties.
Casemiro has experience of playing in the biggest matches of them all and, therefore, is another possibility.
And Fred starting alongside Eriksen can’t be ruled out either, particularly due to the Brazilian’s effectiveness when deployed deep in midfield.
