Manchester United have jumped on the bandwagon in the race to sign Christian Eriksen this summer.
Manchester United want Christian Eriksen, but they will have to put in a lot more work to sign him this summer as the Danish midfielder seems inclined towards accepting the offers from other clubs in the transfer window.
MirrorFootball reported that United are keen on Eriksen to bolster their midfield as the likes of Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba are leaving at the month’s end. Eriksen has already been offered a long-term contract by Brentford, while Tottenham and Everton are also in the running for the 30-year-old since the incorrigible midfielder found imperishable form after recovering from his scary cardiac arrest last year.
It all makes a lot of sense as Eriksen could be available on a free transfer following a laudable spell with Brentford in which he contributed one goal and four assists in 11 Premier League matches. The Danish midfielder certainly looked to be close to his brilliant best, becoming Brentford’s creative fulcrum to help them win seven of the 10 matches he had started in.
New United boss Erik ten Hag has the savvy to know exactly what Eriksen can offer United, having seen him up close last year when the midfielder was training with Ajax in a bid to regain fitness following his cardiac arrest last summer during Euro 2020. To say he is a fantastic, consistent player and a top professional who would no doubt help change United’s culture is but an understatement.
Financially it also makes sense as Eriksen would come on a free transfer, with his current Brentford deal expiring on June 30. In comparison with other players available on the market, Eriksen isn’t likely to command a huge weekly wage either.
The only snag is that it may well not be United’s choice to make as they are unlikely to be Eriksen’s first preference after attracted plenty of suitors this summer with his astonishing performances, with Brentford, Tottenham and Everton all going up against United in the race to sign him. More importantly, two of those clubs can offer him something United cannot.
It’s undeniable that Eriksen is very happy at Brentford, as they gave him the chance to return to top-level football following his health scare last year. The Bees showed their full commitment and build their side around him. Dane Thomas Frank has proven to be the perfect manager for his compatriot and there are many other Danish compatriots in the squad to make him feel at home.
As for his former club Tottenham, they are now able to offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League – a factor which could well prove ultimately decisive, according to Sky Sports. Of course there would be no guarantees as a regular starter under Antonio Conte, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur having formed a solid partnership in central midfield, but he would still get to play plenty of football.
On the other hand, United aren’t able to offer much besides being able to pay high wages and have a manager who Eriksen already knows from training at Ajax, but the squad has been downgraded to playing in the Europa League next season while having to undergo a full-scale rebuild. While the departures of Pogba, Lingard, Matic and Mata leaves plenty of room for midfielders, there is a chance Eriksen would still be be playing second fiddle there.
Mirror Football understands that Ten Hag is targeting six new signings this summer in an effort to turn around a team which is frolicking in the doldrums. Although additions to the team are clearly needed, Eriksen’s case is only but one that shows just how difficult it will be to get those new faces through the door at Old Trafford.
Long gone are the days when United used to be a choice destination for top-level players, but have now fallen way behind many of their rivals.