Manchester United have been slammed for signing Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, a move that has been branded as underwhelming.
United are closing in on the free agent after Eriksen verbally agreed to move to Old Trafford on a three year deal.
According to former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, Eriksen will not bring United any closer to the likes to Manchester City and Liverpool.
He told talkSPORT: “I really like Eriksen, I’ve always admired him in terms of his creativity and the way he plays, he’s free with his football. He tries things, he’s good at set plays and he’s got two good feet. But would it excite me if I was a Manchester United fan?”
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“He’s going to be a squad player isn’t he, he isn’t going to play ahead of (Bruno) Fernandes.”
At this point the presenter, Jim White asked if Murphy thinks Eriksen is a world class player. Murphy produced a blunt reply.
He said: “No. World class? Eriksen? No, no, no, no.”
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Murphy went on to say Eriksen is a good addition to most teams but he is not what United need at the moment.
He said: “He is a welcome addition to any squad because he is experienced and he has quality but if you’re looking at the big games when United compete against Liverpool, City and Chelsea, is he going to be in their first 11? No.”
“For Eriksen it is a wonderful opportunity to be at a huge club again after everything he has been through I understand why he would go there.”
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Murphy added: “But if they want to competitive against Liverpool, City and Chelsea, that is not the type of signing United should be making.”
White then argued Eriksen is a player that can change games.
Murphy replied: “He could change a game yes. But is he going to bring United closer to Liverpool and City? No, nowhere near it.”
“This is Manchester United, is he better than Fernandes? No. Is he going to play in the first 11? No. Should I be happy if I was a United fan? No.”
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He added: “I’d be underwhelmed by this signing.”
New boss Erik ten Hag is looking to add more players to his squad, with the club targeting five signings this month.
The club is due to set off on their pre season tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday.
Topics: Manchester United, Christian Eriksen, Danny Murphy
Marcus Chan