Manchester United’s struggles at the start of the current season could see them spend in January to improve the squad and one player they are now extensively linked with is Danish international Christian Eriksen.
A transfer target the Red Devils failed to land even in the summer, Eriksen is also wanted by Real Madrid but reports from Goal.com now claim that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men could make a move for him in the winter transfer window.
The Tottenham Hotspur playmaker is in the final year of his contract with the London club and reportedly prefers a move to Spain. But Spurs could be forced to sell in January, to avoid losing him on a free at the end of the season.
So should United make a move for Eriksen?
Eriksen And His Numbers
Having moved to Spurs from Ajax back in 2013, the 27-year old has 67 goals and 87 assists in 286 games for the club across all competitions. He also has 90 appearances for the national side, where he has 29 goals to his name, having established himself as one of the most experienced playmakers in the game at the moment.
Last season, he registered 10 goals and 16 assists in the domestic league and Champions League games and is easily one of the most crucial players for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
He has a goal and an assist in four league starts this season but is yet to hit form which has been a reason for Spurs’ struggles this season.
A genuine match-winner on his day, the Dane is a technically gifted midfielder, who loves to create chances for his side.
He is an excellent crosser, is usually effective over a dead ball and is also adept at hold up play, all of which make him perfect for the English game.
Eriksen is the kind of player who loves to protect the ball. He rarely misuses possession, is happy to drop deep to add cover to the midfield and is a player most teams would love to have in their side.
At 27, he will reach his peak as a footballer in the next couple of years and is definitely a player that will improve the current Manchester United squad.
Right Man For United?
Juan Mata and Paul Pogba are the only real creative players in Ole’s squad at the moment. The likes of Andreas Pereira have been decent when called upon but that is not a midfield that can win them the league.
Pogba is also linked with an exit, with Real Madrid closely monitoring his situation. So if United are desperate for Eriksen, who could be available on the cheap in January, they will have to face Real Madrid’s heat more than once.
The Spanish side have also made a difficult start to their campaign and want Eriksen or Pogba to add creativity to their midfield. So it might be tough for the Red Devils to retain Pogba and beat Madrid to Eriksen’s signing.
But his experience in the league and the ability to walk into the first team straight away, makes this a deal worth considering for the Old Trafford outfit whose manager has voiced his desire to sign a striker and a creative playmaker.
It will be certainly worth investing in Eriksen and in Sancho, that should take care of the midfield creativity and striker shortage. Ole can boldly dispose of Fred who has shown only streaks of his performance. Eriksen and Sancho will be able to reduce the pressure on the team, and shall make other players to prune their style of playing.