‘A time and a place…’: Ten Hag signing all but confirms he’s leaving United next summer

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·29 luglio 2024

‘A time and a place…’: Ten Hag signing all but confirms he’s leaving United next summer

Should Manchester United sanction a midfield signing before deadline day this summer, several players will be inclined to harbour concerns over their roles in the squad.

One is Christian Eriksen, who already endured a considerably lesser role in the team last season compared to that of his maiden term in Manchester.

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For example, the experienced Dane made 37 starts in all competitions across 2022/2023 – despite suffering a lengthy setback with an ankle injury from February through to April.

He proceeded to make a mere 14 appearances from the offset last term, primarily due to the scintillating emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, along with Scott McTominay’s surprising goalscoring form.

As such, Eriksen found himself linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the January window and again this summer. It’s thought that INEOS chiefs would accept a suitable bid should one arrive, but they’re not actively looking to fob him off.

The 32-year-old has only one year remaining on his current terms, and, as it stands, it would perhaps be best for all parties if he embarks on a new venture when his contract expires in 2025.

Eriksen addresses uncertainty regarding United future

He weighed in on the matter himself in a recent interview with Manchester Evening News. Pressed on his absence from Erik ten Hag’s FA Cup final starting 11, he maturely responded: “You want to play as much as possible.

“Obviously, there is a time and a place, and I am not getting younger, but it doesn’t feel like I’m not getting younger.

“I think also it’s calmed down a bit now in the media, with obviously the manager, and with all the people around. I wouldn’t call it a soap opera. But it is definitely a club where people really are, and have high emotions about it. Like it’s really, everyone has an opinion about United. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fan or not a fan. Like you’re either with or against – there’s nothing in between. There are no neutrals: it’s hate or love.”

“It’s the best place in the world to be,” Eriksen continued, reflecting on his time in M16. “I have one year left, so for me, I am a United player and for the last year as well. And I haven’t been told [that I’ll] leave or [sign an] extension, so in that sense, I have one year left on the contract, and I feel good. My family is feeling good living in Manchester, and United is a nice club.”

“In terms of the football, yeah, you want to play as much as possible. But there’s also – you [have to] think in terms of how do I see myself? How do I fit into the team? How they play and in that terms I feel good. I feel that I am in a good place,” he concluded.