Denmark may need exited Euro 2024 on the spherical of 16 stage with out profitable a recreation, however Christian Eriksen can nonetheless go away together with his head held excessive.
The 32-year-old has struggled to seek out his greatest type since becoming a member of Manchester United from Brentford in 2022, notching simply three objectives and 13 assists in 72 appearances for the Purple Devils throughout all competitions.
Nevertheless, Eriksen has not been helped by the truth that of these 72 outings, solely 9 (per Transfermarkt) have come within the attacking midfield function he starred in throughout his Tottenham Hotspur days.
Certainly, Eriksen himself has voiced frustration lately relating to his state of affairs at Outdated Trafford, particularly enjoying in a deeper midfield function or having to accept a spot on the bench.
“For me, the season has been a bit of completely different to different seasons,” Eriksen advised TV2 Sport (by way of Yahoo). “It has been a barely completely different function. It’s new to me, but it surely’s additionally new to the surface world.
“It’s clear, in relation to how folks discuss. No, it’s the identical. Now I used to be additionally a bit fortunate that I didn’t sit on the bench a lot after I was youthful.
“However I did it infrequently. It’s by no means enjoyable. That’s for certain. Personally, you all the time wish to be the one who’s chosen first within the workforce. Generally the coach appears to be like the opposite manner. However then I play for United, so there’s only a battle for locations, as a result of there are lots of good gamers.”
Eriksen makes assertion at Euro 2024
At Euro 2024, Eriksen has provided Man United boss Erik ten Hag a well timed reminder of simply how efficient he can nonetheless be when unleashed in an attacking midfield function.
With the spherical of 16 now completed, Eriksen stands alone because the match’s prime probability creator to date with 16 and seventh for xA (1.08). What’s extra, the previous Ajax man was first amongst Danish gamers for touches within the attacking third (132), second for touches within the opposition field (15) and was one among simply two gamers in Kasper Hjulmand’s squad to attain a objective — netting a memorable opener of their 1-1 group stage draw with Slovenia.
Is that this sufficient to warrant Ten Hag unleashing Eriksen again into an attacking function for Manchester United subsequent season? The midfielder’s agent definitely thinks so.
“He performed extra offensively on the Euros, similar to he did throughout his greatest days at Spurs,’ stated Martin Schoots (by way of Each day Mail). “That’s the large win. When he performs in his greatest place he can attain excessive ranges. Maybe he can save United the £50-75 million they may spend on an attacking midfielder.”
