Christian Eriksen is officially a red, but in his joining interview he reveals he actually saw himself becoming one many years earlier.
Everybody seems excited to see Christian Eriksen turn out in United red at Old Trafford, but probably none more so than the man himself.
The Dane was one of the best attacking midfielders in world football during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, and was always linked with a Manchester United move.
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In an exclusive interview with the club on his first day of training, Christian Eriksen reveals just how excited he is to play for Manchester United, and reveals he saw it happening many years earlier.
First, the club asked him about his excitement about joining the club, and Eriksen responded: “Ah, very new! It’s weird.
“I never thought it would actually happen, so to be here, like you say being a Manchester United player, it’s very special.”
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He then reveals he actually didn't expect the move to materialise now, and if it had materialised it would have been before he went to play for Inter Milan.
When asked if he felt the move was inevitable, he said, “No, because I think from my career path before the incident in the Euros, the planning wasn’t to go back to the UK at all.
“I was thinking my time to go to Manchester United was before! Obviously, then I was at Spurs, and then went to Italy.
“But now to sit here is definitely something that I didn’t expect, but I'm also very happy that I’m here. It feels good, it feels good to be here.”
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Christian Eriksen of course ended up being a pivotal part of an Inter Milan side that won the club their first Serie A title in 11 years.
However, he clearly holds United in high regard. “It’s a very, very big club – if not the biggest. If you pronounce it anywhere they know where it’s from.
“They know where the locals come from. It has a big history and it’s a nice feeling to be part of something that is that big in history.”
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Despite traditionally playing higher up in his career, he operated in a deeper role during the 2020/21 season for the Nerazzurri.
This leaves endless possibilities for his position at Manchester United, with him being able to cover Bruno Fernandes as a nominal No.10 as an option – but another option could actually have him supporting Fernandes, playing as part of Manchester United's double pivot.
Eriksen certainly has the technical quality, press resistance and intelligent decision making in possession to be a success in this role for United.
He has also played out wide for Tottenham in the past, and played in a traditional number eight role for both club and country.
Eriksen's versatility, quality and experience will all be invaluable to a Manchester United side that are looking to rebuild under Erik ten Hag.
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However, it does hurt to think that he could have been a United player in his prime years based on his comments. Just imagine him in United's team in those years, he would have hugely improved it.
Christian Eriksen could make his unofficial debut for Manchester United against Atletico Madrid this Saturday in Oslo.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester UnitedTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Christian Eriksen, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Transfers