Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has given his opinion on where he believes newcomer Christian Eriksen will flourish in the squad.
In Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, the Dane played as a 'false nine' in the absence of both Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo. Martial was ruled out of the Premier League opener through injury, while Ronaldo continues to work towards full fitness and was only able to come off the bench.
During his post-match press conference, the boss revealed that the idea to play Eriksen further forward dates back to the player’s Ajax days.
“We didn’t have a typical number nine, I knew he did it at Ajax, a long time ago,“ said the boss. ”Play as a striker.” But ultimately that is not where ten Hag sees Eriksen in the long-term. “I think Christian Eriksen is the best in the midfield,” he said after Sunday’s defeat. “It was also the idea [against Brighton] that he drops and gets in between the lines.”
And this theory was evident in practice when the Scandinavian dropped deeper on Sunday, following Ronaldo's introduction, and United were able to gain more control in midfield.
When the Reds are able to revert to playing with a more traditional striker, the Danish midfielder will likely be found dictating play from the middle of the park.
Obviously, that could be as early as Saturday teatime, against his former club Brentford, as United approach a first game on the road this term.