Anderlecht CEO reveals why they abandoned their pursuit of Man United’s Christian Eriksen in the summer | OneFootball

Anderlecht CEO Jasper Fredberg has revealed that it was simply not within their reach to complete the signing of Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen during the summer transfer window.

Eriksen is believed to be one of the players Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS were open to letting go.

Like most of his teammates, the Dane endured a disappointing 2023/24 season as United finished in eighth position in the Premier League.

Considering he has entered the final 12 months of his Old Trafford deal and he’s on the wrong side of his career, it makes sense why United were considering parting ways with Eriksen.

However, amidst links to clubs such as Ajax and Anderlecht, a move never materialised and the player ended up remaining at United.

Anderlecht manager Brian Riemer admitted back in July that he was trying to use his networks to get Eriksen’s transfer over the line.

Speaking to Voetbal Nieuws, the Belgian club’s CEO, Jasper Fredberg, confirmed that they did indeed consider swooping in for Eriksen but ultimately opted against going any further as the operation would have been too costly.

Fredberg said, “We brought in Leander Dendoncker, in a position where real competition was needed.”

“That’s why we didn’t need another experienced player in midfield, although Eriksen was an absolute opportunity, which turned out not to be feasible.”

Eriksen recently opened up about his future and explained that he would have left United in the summer if the club had given him any indication that his services were no longer required.

The 32-year-old also vowed to give his all for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.

He bagged a sensational brace for United as they demolished Barnsley 7-0 in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday. It was Eriksen’s second start in a row and he will certainly be hoping for a third when the Red Devils travel to Selhurst Park this weekend to meet Crystal Palace.

Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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