Man Utd must complete Eriksen transfer or face greatest humiliation ever
Manchester United and Brentford are waiting nervously for Christian Eriksen’s decision over his future.
It appears to be between the two Premier League sides to sign the Denmark star, despite previous interest from Tottenham and others.
Pick virtually any year in the last 100 and the decision would have been easy: Manchester United. But these are unusual times, with the Red Devils no longer the force that they were and Brentford possessing one of the most exciting projects in the Premier League.
United have the pull of their historical and financial strength, while the Bees are relying on their shrewd business acumen, deft transfer policy and, no doubt, a dose of Eriksen’s goodwill in order to re-sign a player who they felt was surely beyond them little over a year ago.
Eriksen’s traumatic collapse during a Euro 2020 clash between Denmark and Finland changed the course of his career. Brentford put their faith in his to return to the playing field, and they were handsomely rewarded as he returned a goal and four assists in just 938 Premier League minutes last season.
The 30-year-old, meanwhile, only signed a short-term contract with Brentford and will become a free agent on 1 July. Numerous big sides have flirted with him, but it is Man Utd whose interest persists.
Eriksen can change Man Utd perception
Eriksen may not even be a starter at Old Trafford, but the success or failure of this transfer is starting to look like it could be a pivotal deal for the summer – and perhaps even the plans of new manager Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd have not completed a single transfer while watching the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham strengthen. Frenkie de Jong, by all accounts their primary target, is wavering over a move while only Ajax winger Antony appears genuinely keen to make a move.
If Eriksen was to pick Brentford – a club that has habitually played in the third tier of the English game – over 13-time Premier League champions Man Utd, it would represent an enormous slap in the face to the Old Trafford side and a further dent to their credibility at a time in which their stock is already at an all-time low.
For the sake of Man Utd and Ten Hag, they must make the Eriksen transfer stick.