Christian Eriksen has reportedly delayed his transfer decision which could see the Danish international sign for Manchester United this summer. The report in The Metro gives a good reason for the delay, buying himself more time to make a positive decision for his future.
The 30-year-old signed. short-term deal with Premier League side Brentford earlier this year, which will expire on the 30 June 2022, seeing him become a free agent from the 1 July. It is suggested that Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United were interested in the player.
It could well be that he remains at Brentford, accepting the offer that they have made instead of moving to United or elsewhere. That said though, he must be tempted by United as he wants to look at the quality of players that they sign in the early stages of the summer transfer window.
Obviously, any player will want to sign for the best club they can attain but with United, the last few seasons have shown mixed results with that coming to a head last season with United worst performance in the Premier League, amassing just 58 points.
Eriksen is heading into the twilight years of his career and will want to ensure that playing time remains an option, which he would get at Brentford anyway. At United, he will rival the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek, plus any potential new signing.
It could well be that Erik ten Hag wants Eriksen to play in the two-man pivot of a 4-2-3-1 formation, or even in the midfield in a 4-3-3 formation, which will rely on top midfielders to guide United towards victory. The likes of Fred and Scott McTominay cold be easily frustrated this season.
Eriksen, 30, was sidelines for eight months after suffering a cardiac arrest whilst playing the Denmark in Euro 2020, which was delayed until last summer because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was unable to play in Italy, then playing for Inter Milan, so was released.
He made his return to football a priority with Brentford offering his a return to the Premier League, where he had previously played at Tottenham Hotspur, making 305 appearances, scoring 69 goals and 90 assists. In 11 appearances at Brentford, he scored one goal and four assists.
Eriksen is a quality player and would bring some experience into the midfield following the departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matić and Juan Mata, who all left the club this summer on the expiry of their contracts at United. Perhaps this delay could be a positive for United?
Written by John Walker
