There has been a marked improvement in Manchester United’s ability to control proceedings in the last few outings.
And, yes, the standard of the opposition is a factor that must be taken into consideration.
After losing to Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool, Manchester United got back on the horse against Southampton and third-tier Barnsley before travelling to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
But still, there is no doubt that Erik ten Hag’s team have looked that little bit more organised and free-flowing since club football returned following the September international break.
And United legend Paul Scholes puts that down largely to the somewhat unexpected revival of a player who appeared destined to be on his way out of Old Trafford only a few months ago.
Paul Scholes hails Christian Eriksen impact at Manchester United
Christian Eriksen cast doubt on his Man United future a few months ago. There was a stretch – between February and April – in which he played only 37 minutes in eleven Premier League matches.
So as Ajax and Anderlecht expressed an interest in Eriksen – both clubs eventually accepting defeat due largely to the finances involved in a deal – it was a surprise really to see September arrive with the former Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Brentford playmaker still holding a place in the United squad.
It is a place that Christian Eriksen, revived, rejuvenated and back in the United XI, is starting to justify.
Starting three successive games against Southampton, Barnsley and Crystal Palace, 32-year-old Eriksen is proving that rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
“It has actually got a bit better since Eriksen has come into the team,” says Scholes, who knows a thing or two about dictating the tempo from the middle of the park.
Interestingly, Scholes urged Man United to sign a midfielder in Ilkay Gundogan’s mould back in August, feeling that Ten Hag needed a more cultured operator than the crash-and-bang Manuel Ugarte.
“In those first three games (of the season), he didn’t play. And we were all over the place. I think Eriksen does still bring that little bit of control.
“He just probably can’t play the full 90 minutes [though], so there is a problem there.”
Jamie Carragher agrees with positive signs about Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte partnership
Turning 33 in February, Eriksen is obviously not a long-term solution to Man United’s midfield issues.
But with Ten Hag looking to turn the Red Devils into a team capable of dominating possession – their average has increased from 50 per cent last season to 56 this – Eriksen’s excellent passing range and composure on the ball is in stark contrast to the Hollywood hoof-ball tactics often deployed by the likes of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
Once Ugarte is up to speed and ready to start in the top-flight, Eriksen could become even more influential. Completely freed up from any defensive responsibilities by the tough-tackling Uruguayan, Eriksen hit a brace in Man United’s 7-0 hammering of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup last week.
Even Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher – seldom positive about anything to do with his old rivals – has to admit that Eriksen has made quite the difference.
He feels that, with United lacking a deep-lying, tempo-setting number six like a Rodri, a Bruno Guimaraes or a prime-time Michael Carrick, Eriksen’s ability to keep possession albeit in a more advanced role has come in very handy.
“It’s maybe one of the reasons I think you might be playing Eriksen, coming back to not having this holding midfielder to control the game,” Carragher adds.
“Someone to actually get on the ball and actually control the game rather than it being end to end.”
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