Amid all the excitement surrounding the arrivals of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, it should not be forgotten that Manchester United’s transfer window is still very much a work in progress.
The Red Devils are crying out for a left-back. They look short of genuine options to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield too, while the admittedly-outstanding Yoro alone might not be enough to solve Manchester United’s defensive deficiencies.
Furthermore, with just over a month left in the window, Old Trafford is still home to a host of players you might have expected to have departed by this stage.
Of course, plans have been pushed back a little by the European Championships and the Copa America.
But, still, the lack of genuine movement surrounding Casemiro, Facundo Pellistri, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Christian Eriksen and co may worry a club under pressure to free up funds and reduce the wage bill before Ineos can continue their overhaul.
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Christian Eriksen is still a Manchester United player
Clubs in Spain and Greece have expressed an interest in Pellistri but things have gone quiet of late. The anticipated Saudi Arabian avalanche for Casemiro is yet to materialise.
Eriksen, meanwhile, has been tentatively linked with a return to Ajax but that’s about it as far as the veteran playmaker is concerned.
At any rate, Eriksen does not sound like a man in any ‘rush’ to bring an end to his Man United career either.
But – and not for the first time this year – he also was quick to point out that a lack of chances in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI is a cause for concern.
“I am really happy at United,” the former Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder tells Sky Sports. “I have had two very good years and am going into my third.
“It is a special club and a special place. Also, my family is settled in Manchester, so I am in no rush.
“Obviously, I want to play as much as possible and do everything I can. But that is nothing to do with the club – it is up to you and the manager.
“But in terms of how I feel, I feel very good at United. I still want to get on the pitch, obviously. I’m staying the same person if I’m playing or not, trying to help if I can.
“But I want to be the football guy, not the social guy.”
Chances may be limited under Erik ten Hag
Eriksen started only 10 Premier League games in 2023/24. Down from 25 in the previous campaign.
Presuming United can avoid the sort of never-ending injury crisis that badly disrupted Ten Hag’s traumatic second season, Eriksen will begin the new campaign behind Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes in the pecking order.
There is also the emergence of young Toby Collyer to consider. Plus, the potential arrival of a new midfielder such as Paris Saint-Germain enforcer Manuel Ugarte.
Still, there may be a role for Eriksen to play, if he is willing to accept it. Man United will be back in the Europa League next term. This, coupled with their EFL Cup and FA Cup commitments, mean there should be plenty of opportunities for Ten Hag to rotate his squad.
Eriksen also proved his worth at the back end of last term when coming off the bench to help United retain possession in the dying moments with his almost unrivalled passing range and composure in possession.
Outstanding for Denmark at Euro 2024 too, there is clearly plenty of life left in a footballer who – while not quite the athlete of old – possesses the cutting edge most midfielders could only dream of.
“I would just say it’s been re-confirmed that this is what it will be like with the manager,” adds Eriksen, Ineos deciding to stick with Ten Hag after May’s ‘glorious’ Wembley triumph over Man City.
“Obviously last season, there were more bad games and not as many good, so we focused a lot on the bad games. (Winning the FA Cup) did prove we’re still close to City or anyone else. But it’s the consistency and we know we have to perform better this season.
“I do think (the Ineos arrival) helped and it has calmed things down. Looking into it and being here, now you know everyone is here and it’s their ideas and you do feel calmness and not as much waiting. It’s told us this is what it’s going to be like and this is what we’re going to.”
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