Denmark boss tried to sign Christian Eriksen for Anderlecht, concerned with lack of game time at Man United | OneFootball

Despite a clear lack of quality in the middle of the park, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has not really afforded Christian Eriksen too many chances.

The Dane has started only five times since the Portuguese’s arrival, completing 90 minutes only once with his last start in the Premier League coming in 2024.

By contrast, the 33-year-old had nine starts under Erik ten Hag this term, and plenty of pundits claim the former Tottenham Hotspur star does not have the legs to compete in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, which explains the lack of game time.

Lack of game time under Amorim

The Red Devils had tried to move him on both last summer and in January with Anderlecht among the clubs chasing his signature. But no concrete proposals arrived and the midfielder remained at Old Trafford.

Former Anderlecht manager and current Denmark boss Brian Riemer told Tipsbladet that he had tried to sign the Denmark international but it did not materialise.

Riemer, who was also a Brentford coach when Eriksen was there, praised his work ethic and his willingness to help the young players and how much of a positive influence he is in the dressing room.

“I didn’t know Christian when he came to Brentford, apart from the fact that I had of course seen him on TV like everyone else, but I had a really good six months with him at Brentford, where I met him and found out what a fantastic person he is.

“A man who, despite his glorious – I dare say – career, and all the achievements he has achieved, is completely down to earth and never stands in the way of helping a young lad around him or taking the water bottles if that’s what’s needed.

Riemer tried to sign him for Anderlecht

“He trains and trains and trains, and is an example for the young people in many areas. So it was a huge pleasure. And I have kept in touch with Christian since then, by virtue of the fact that I have become the national coach. I actually also tried to see if I could bring him to Anderlecht at some point, but unfortunately it did not work out.”

He was naturally asked about the former Tottenham Hotspur man’s lack of minutes at United and how that can affect his selections calls with plenty of former Danish players insisting Eriksen get dropped from the national team.

The Denmark boss admitted that his compatriot was going through a tough time but his importance in the national set-up just cannot be ignored.

“He is in a difficult situation now, there is no secret about that. I know that he would of course like to play a lot more than he does, but he has ended up in a somewhat difficult situation, also in relation to his contract and so on.

Admits Eriksen is going through a difficult period

“This is where I think it is important that we all stop and remember that we are talking about Christian Eriksen. We are talking about a player who, I would say – over the past 15 years, since he made his debut for the national team at the age of 18 – has contributed some things that we have not seen in Danish football since probably the Laudrup brothers, if I am being completely honest. He has some individual skills that are unique.

“So it’s clear that it’s a challenge when you don’t play that much. So I have to assess how we can use Christian in the situation we’re in now. But I still think we have to remember that this is a player who has some individual skills that not many others have.”

Eriksen’s current United deal gets over in the summer with the 20-time English league champions unlikely to offer him a new contract.

He had arrived as a free agent and while the club tried to recoup a small fee, it seems he will leave as a free agent as well. Whether he stays in the Premier League or tries a new adventure or goes back to his homeland, where there is plenty of interest, remains to be seen.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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