Christian Eriksen has revealed the Manchester United squad are “lucky” to have the club’s fanbase as he predicts a “bright future” for the Red Devils.
Eriksen, 33, will depart Old Trafford this month as his contract draws to a close after the club chose not to offer a new deal.
The Denmark international joined United on a free transfer from Brentford in 2022, forming a superb partnership in midfield with Casemiro, also signed in the same window from Real Madrid.
Together, the experienced duo provided a foundation at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s side, propelling their new team to a third-placed finish in the Premier League and a Carabao Cup triumph – United’s first trophy in six years.
But the success of the debut season under Ten Hag quickly soured in the Dutchman’s sophomore campaign. He chose to rip up the template of a 4-2-3-1 system, with Casemiro and Eriksen stationed in a deep midfield pivot, in favour of a more attacking 4-3-3 with Mason Mount replacing the experienced Dane.
The results were disastrous. Exacerbated by an unrelenting injury list, United slumped to a dismal 8th in the table with a series of chaotic displays in complete contrast to the measured performances of the previous season.
But the combination of Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, who replaced the Dutch manager in November last year, went even further this season as the Red Devils finished a staggering 15th – the club’s worst ever campaign in the Premier League era.
Throughout these two appalling seasons, there is a real sense the experience and guile of Eriksen was underutilised by both managers, who became obsessed with speed and strength over skill and smarts.
The 33-year-old midfielder would have offered far more to United over the past two seasons than alternate options like Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount.
But, considering he was signed on a free transfer, and played a key role in the club’s best season in recent memory, Eriksen ranks as one of the more astute pieces of business in the past decade at Old Trafford.
And the Dane was quick to point out the joy his time with the Reds has brought him and his family, with United becoming “home” for the Eriksens.
“There’s been a lot of good memories, a lot of special games, a lot of special people I’ve met in my time here,” Eriksen revealed in an interview with the club’s media.
“Two trophies and, in between that, a few finals as well. I’ve really enjoyed my time and a huge thank you to the club, to the fans, to my team-mates. I’ve really felt at home from day one, me and my family, so it’s going to be a special place in my heart, leaving here.”
Eriksen was effusive in his praise of the United fans who he believes are always “standing behind us” despite the disheartening displays they are often subject to.
“They [the fans] have really been standing behind us, and I think they’ve done that through the years I’ve been here as well,” he added. “They’ve always been supportive, no matter what the circumstances have been.
“I think the players are lucky to have them as fans and, yeah, I think the people, the players, know that now. They play for the fans, like they always [have] done.
Eriksen concludes by reiterating the words following Amorim on the final game of the season – a 2-0 win over Aston Villa with the midfielder converting a penalty in his last appearance – that a “bright future” is on the horizon.
“Hopefully, there will be good times ahead, like the manager was saying [during his on-pitch address]. Together with the fans, I’m sure they have a bright future.”
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
