Christian Eriksen | Man Utd player

Remember the geese said:
Fabinho and Thiago are really good. Henderson, Keita, Jones and whoever else they have there are less good.
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Yep. I'd still pick any of those + Milner as well before Fred and McTominay. Anyway... Straying a bit off topic here.

Christian Eriksen is not the solution to every single issue we've had over the last decade. But, he adds excellent creativity and distribution to our team. He is a professional footballer who is concentrating on football, and not some ridiculos off the pitch SoMe antics. A very good signing for United.
 
BusbyMalone said:
No matter how much football has changed, no matter how many (copious) examples there are of players who are in the 30-35 age range performing exceedingly well (sometimes even better than they were in their late-twenties), there will still be people bringing their age up, despite the fact that it's becoming less and less relevant. Yeah, obviously when you start getting to the 35+ then it's an issue. But come on, the man turned 30 a few months ago FFS. He's good for another few years.

Football has changed so much in that aspect. It's becoming more and more of a myth.
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Yeah it gets a bit tiring (especially if you're an old man like me because of stamina and shit). The assumption that as soon as you're past your physical peak you're useless, even though if you're older you're less likely to run around like a headless chicken and have a better understanding of the game thanks to experience. The number of players who have hit a new peak in their later years due to adapting their game and retraining shouldn't be overlooked either.
 
I'm happy to have a player with his technique and set-piece delivery but he's basically just a slightly more dynamic Juan Mata isn't he? This club's obsession with signing luxury players over players we actually need is so weird. Then again, the midfield market is crap at the moment, with most of the midfielders out there worth having already playing for top clubs.
 
Møllemanden said:
Yep. I'd still pick any of those + Milner as well before Fred and McTominay. Anyway... Straying a bit off topic here.

Christian Eriksen is not the solution to every single issue we've had over the last decade. But, he adds excellent creativity and distribution to our team. He is a professional footballer who is concentrating on football, and not some ridiculos off the pitch SoMe antics. A very good signing for United.
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Yes, I'm very happy with the signing. I think he will be a lot more integral than some people realise. Obviously he can play in a number of positions, but I would like to see him play a bit deeper alongside hopefully De Jong. The incarnation of Eriksen as a latter day Paul Scholes.
 
The Red Thinker said:
I think system players like Eriksen will thrive till his mod 30s. Running around busying a gut isn’t a thing when you hold the ball most of the time
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Absolutely this. If your team has the ball the majority of the time, a midfielder with the vision to see where to quickly move the ball before they've received it, and the ability to make those passes, will find the space they need away from the opponent's press without running themselves into the ground by half time. Hopefully Erikson can become a player like that towards the end of his current deal, because I'm sure another contract would follow if he can. As for now, he's 30, for the next 2 years I'd have little concern about his fitness given he's not built like Rooney.
 
GreatDane said:
I think the local Brentford fans here sounds like nice people, so I understand if they are a bit hurt in lack of a better word.
But it's football (business). Perhaps Eriksen forgot to tell Thomas Frank, perhaps he wasn’t allowed, who knows. I'm sure they'll survive either way.
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Exactly. It's not like he waited until the last day of the transfer window to make his decision. A healthy Eriksen was never staying at Brentford. That might seem harsh, but it is the reality.
 
el diablorojo said:
If it bothers you that much my advice is ignore it not continue the conversation by asking why, comes across a bit pwecious otherwise
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Alcohol may have played a part in the rudeness of my post last night, so I do apologize. It was harsh and a bit idiotic to use those words.

But I truly don't understand why Brentford fans would be hurt that he didn't tell you first. All stories seem to point to him having made his decision weeks ago. And the transfer window is a long way to closing. Once he showed he could stay healthy last season, and that he could still play at a high level, you must have known that the chnaces of him staying at Brentford would be very low?

We don't know if he had a conversation with Frank or not, but I'd have to think they did and this is being blown out of proportion.
 
Marwood said:
To be fair there were plenty of players performing in their 30's during the 90's and 2000's.

I'd say the bigger myth is that football has now changed allowing people to perform longer. It's always been the case for some individuals.

We didn't sign Sheringham till he ws about 29 I think. Mark Hughes was with us into his 30's, starting in league winnimg teams. Then there's Giggs and Scholes. Gary Neville was hitting his best form ever in his early 30's before he got that injury. I could go on.

Agree with everyone saying Eriksen can give us three good years.
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Sure, but I think it's way more prevalent now. Back then I don't think it would be unreasonable to think of those players as outliers. Whereas now that's not the case. Which makes sense, considering the advancements in sports science, nutrition, training, etc.
 
Blood Mage said:
I'm happy to have a player with his technique and set-piece delivery but he's basically just a slightly more dynamic Juan Mata isn't he? This club's obsession with signing luxury players over players we actually need is so weird. Then again, the midfield market is crap at the moment, with most of the midfielders out there worth having already playing for top clubs.
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Not really. He takes corners, that would be huge for us. Way better work rate. Way better physically, and a much better central player.

I'd say he is replacing pogba from last year and not Mata.
 
P-Ro said:
Good player but not really one to cause great concern.
Wrong side of 30 and another stop gap signing like Ronaldo. Will also be interesting to see how he adapts to Ten Haag's football given his age and the fact his background is predominantly as a low workrate number 10. Also a bit suspect in the air.

Best years certainly behind him but if he adapts can help United steady things following the loss of Pogba.
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Stop gap signing is not bad thing at all as long as it's free and reasonable wages that worst case if he's injury prone, it wouldn't hurt financially since you don't want injury prone getting paid 200k p.w or more.
 
JB7 said:
Very odd given we are there for over a week still.
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Not if you’ve ever been there. Jet Lag after returning from just days there is BRUTAL.

It would be mad to fly to Australia for a few days just to say hello. He’d feel like shit after getting back. No point in him going.
 
Blood Mage said:
I'm happy to have a player with his technique and set-piece delivery but he's basically just a slightly more dynamic Juan Mata isn't he? This club's obsession with signing luxury players over players we actually need is so weird. Then again, the midfield market is crap at the moment, with most of the midfielders out there worth having already playing for top clubs.
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Completely different players. Few would say that one of the hardest working players in football as a luxury either. We also have no better players that play the position that he does.
 
TrustInJanuzaj said:
Bruno is better at AM
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Bruno's attributes are more towards a false nine or second striker, which is why he scores more goals than Eriksen. Doesnt function as a AM in the way he moves, though his passing and vision is quite good. I feel that Eriksen is better with his intelligence and dribbling, but we can agree to disagree.
 
Blood Mage said:
I'm happy to have a player with his technique and set-piece delivery but he's basically just a slightly more dynamic Juan Mata isn't he? This club's obsession with signing luxury players over players we actually need is so weird. Then again, the midfield market is crap at the moment, with most of the midfielders out there worth having already playing for top clubs.
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He has the same intelligence, passing and vision as Mata but dribbling, workrate and movement is much better. Not slightly dynamic, but much more dynamic.

Eriksen has been bought in lieu of his versatility, since he can play as a AM, second striker or a forward with CM a possibility in games against weaker opposition. He is also very good at orchestrating possession in the way ETH wants, so he is a player who will help to bridge the gap till the existing squad catches up.
 
TheReligion said:
That players with great technical ability can’t kick a ball straight beyond the age of 33?

Luka Modric says hello!
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That most of our over 30 signings fail miserably? That he has a condition which could end his career? Nothing wrong with signing Eriksen but give him a rolling contract or something. There's such a risk we get stuck playing big wages for a player we don't use. Again.
 
11101 said:
That most of our over 30 signings fail miserably? That he has a condition which could end his career? Nothing wrong with signing Eriksen but give him a rolling contract or something. There's such a risk we get stuck playing big wages for a player we don't use. Again.
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He deserved a proper contract and some security for his family.

You don’t even know what wage he’s on!

Stop looking for a problem. Chelsea have just signed a 31 year old CB on 300k a week for 4/5 years!
 
11101 said:
That most of our over 30 signings fail miserably? That he has a condition which could end his career? Nothing wrong with signing Eriksen but give him a rolling contract or something. There's such a risk we get stuck playing big wages for a player we don't use. Again.
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We haven't actually signed many players over 30 in the last 10 years and the only one who failed miserably is Schweinsteiger.
 
TheReligion said:
He deserved a proper contract and some security for his family.

You don’t even know what wage he’s on!

Stop looking for a problem. Chelsea have just signed a 31 year old CB on 300k a week for 4/5 years!
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You are probably right I just wish we would go back to giving rolling contracts for over 30s, especially for players we don't know. Even if they are good players like Eriksen.

I wouldn't judge us on anything Chelsea do. They'll be in for a tough time without the oil money.
 
11101 said:
That most of our over 30 signings fail miserably? That he has a condition which could end his career? Nothing wrong with signing Eriksen but give him a rolling contract or something. There's such a risk we get stuck playing big wages for a player we don't use. Again.
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As long as we have Rashy and Martial still stealing a living around here, any argument about giving Eriksen a contract is dumber than a 2nd coat of paint.
 
I think every United fan on the planet will be happy with this transfer but not sure what Ten Hag’s intentions are formation and tactics-wise. If we are playing some sort of 4-3-3 with two attacking CMs, then I think this is the perfect signing, Bruno and Eriksen together would be lethal, but if we intend to continue with the 4-2-3-1/4-5-1, I’m not sure where Eriksen plays especially if we get De Jong. I understand wanting a backup/sub for Bruno when he’s tired or not playing well, I just don’t think Eriksen is the type of player, with the quality he has, that will be content sitting the bench waiting to replace Bruno. He’s too good for that. Some fans will argue he would replace Bruno, but I doubt it. Despite dips at times last season, Bruno has played too well since his arrival to just be dropped. He’s too important a member of the squad for Ten Hag to realistically drop him.
 
BusbyMalone said:
Sure, but I think it's way more prevalent now. Back then I don't think it would be unreasonable to think of those players as outliers. Whereas now that's not the case. Which makes sense, considering the advancements in sports science, nutrition, training, etc.
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I don't think they were outliers. If they were we had an incredible number of them.

As I say Neville was probably at his best at 31.

Irwin at left back during the treble at 32.

Giggs, Scholes and Sheringham we've mentioned. Even Beckham you feel could have perfomed at the top level till his mid 30's.

This is just one generation of one United team.

There's a bit too much praise at the altar of today's football.

Players being fit and very capable into their 30's has been going on for quite a while now.
 
Marwood said:
I don't think they were outliers. If they were we had an incredible number of them.

As I say Neville was probably at his best at 31.

Irwin at left back during the treble at 32.

Giggs, Scholes and Sheringham we've mentioned. Even Beckham you feel could have perfomed at the top level till his mid 30's.

This is just one generation of one United team.

There's a bit too much praise at the altar of today's football.

Players being fit and very capable into their 30's has been going on for quite a while now.
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I would completely disagree with that, to be honest. I mean, it's almost objectively true that sports science, nutrition, training, etc, has vastly improved. Footballers who have now retired echo this - Neville being one of them. As a result, more players are playing well into their 30s at a higher level than they have previously.
 
BusbyMalone said:
I would completely disagree with that, to be honest. I mean, it's almost objectively true that sports science, nutrition, training, etc, has vastly improved. Footballers who have now retired echo this - Neville being one of them. As a result, more players are playing well into their 30s at a higher level than they have previously.
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People knew what healthy food was 15 years ago. What's most important is the behaviour and application of the player.

Same goes for training. There's only so much tweaks to a training programme can do for a players longevity. If anything. What really makes the difference is what a player puts in and of course luck with injuries.

What allows a player to go into his 30's is the player himself. The mindset. Not this notion that modern football is the elixir of youth.

What todays players have in their favour is that it's now accepted 32 isn't the end. That you can go on. The shift in mentality is way more influential than "nutrition"

With his ability, natural physique and pretty good injury record Eriksen can easily give us three good years(assuming heart is ok).

That's true now but it would also have been true in '98.
 
Marwood said:
People knew what healthy food was 15 years ago. What's most important is the behaviour and application of the player.

Same goes for training. There's only so much tweaks to a training programme can do for a players longevity. If anything. What really makes the difference is what a player puts in and of course luck with injuries.

What allows a player to go into his 30's is the player himself. The mindset. Not this notion that modern football is the elixir of youth.

What todays players have in their favour is that it's now accepted 32 isn't the end. That you can go on. The shift in mentality is way more influential than "nutrition"

With his ability, natural physique and pretty good injury record Eriksen can easily give us three good years(assuming heart is ok).

That's true now but it would also have been true in '98.
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That's such a simplistic take. You're also ignoring how these little tweaks has a major impact at the top level. It's all about the little tweaks and gains.

Of course luck with injuries is a major part of it, that goes without saying. Honestly, I never knew saying that sports science, nutrition and training has advanced from where it was over two decades ago was a controversial take. Also, this shift in mentality is a byproduct of said tweaks.

Neville (a player you mentioned) goes on about it ALL the time. How much the game has changed, how fitter and faster they are. It's almost an objective truth. It doesn't mean to say that things like "luck" and "mentality" play no role. Anyway, we're taking the thread off topic here I fear.
 
I watched some of his highlight videos on YouTube from Spurs and Brentford and the amount of on-a-plate final balls he laid on that were then wasted was quite something. Would be great to see if we can do any better with chance conversion.
 
BusbyMalone said:
That's such a simplistic take. You're also ignoring how these little tweaks has a major impact at the top level. It's all about the little tweaks and gains.

Of course luck with injuries is a major part of it, that goes without saying. Honestly, I never knew saying that sports science, nutrition and training has advanced from where it was over two decades ago was a controversial take. Also, this shift in mentality is a byproduct of said tweaks.

Neville (a player you mentioned) goes on about it ALL the time. How much the game has changed, how fitter and faster they are. It's almost an objective truth. It doesn't mean to say that things like "luck" and "mentality" play no role. Anyway, we're taking the thread off topic here I fear.
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Well that's Gary Neville. He comes up with an idea and goes all in. But the fact remains he himself was at his best early 30's prior to the injury that finished him.

I could go on but like you say, it's derailing the thread a bit.
 
I hope the likes of Hannibal and Iqbal learn a thing or two from Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, so when those guys are past it they could step up and take their place.
 
TheReligion said:
He deserved a proper contract and some security for his family.

You don’t even know what wage he’s on!

Stop looking for a problem. Chelsea have just signed a 31 year old CB on 300k a week for 4/5 years!
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And lets not forget a 35 year old CB summer before last.
 
I swear if I read one more person go "He wasn't that good the last seasons at Tottenham
naahh you right, was only top 5 assists in the league in his final full season, had 2nd most MVP's after Kane, created most chances ran the most of all players.

Can we please recreate this native where Tottenham fans were angry that he wanted to leave and then tried telling everyone he was now shit.
 
BusbyMalone said:
That's such a simplistic take. You're also ignoring how these little tweaks has a major impact at the top level. It's all about the little tweaks and gains.

Of course luck with injuries is a major part of it, that goes without saying. Honestly, I never knew saying that sports science, nutrition and training has advanced from where it was over two decades ago was a controversial take. Also, this shift in mentality is a byproduct of said tweaks.

Neville (a player you mentioned) goes on about it ALL the time. How much the game has changed, how fitter and faster they are. It's almost an objective truth. It doesn't mean to say that things like "luck" and "mentality" play no role. Anyway, we're taking the thread off topic here I fear.
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Marwood said:
Well that's Gary Neville. He comes up with an idea and goes all in. But the fact remains he himself was at his best early 30's prior to the injury that finished him.

I could go on but like you say, it's derailing the thread a bit.
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I've really come to ignore what Neville says after previously valuing his opinion. The summer we failed to sign sancho, he kept harping on about the fact we didn't need him as we already had players similar to him even though we don't. He seemed to think Rashford, Martial and Greenwood were the same style as Sancho.

Let's not forget the video he's been getting bantered about recently where he said a couple of years ago that Utd would win the league before Liverpool would and that Salah would leave liverpool before then. Said it with so much conviction.
 
When will he meet up with rest of the squad. Looking forward to seeing him play for us.
 
Xaviboy said:
When will he meet up with rest of the squad. Looking forward to seeing him play for us.
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Not until we get back from Australia which is against Atletico on the 30th I believe.
 
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