Eriksen outlines pre-World Cup aims
Christian Eriksen says the belief within the current Manchester United squad is continuing to grow and the Reds are fully determined to finish the first part of this season as strongly as possible.
There are just two-and-a-half weeks remaining before a break in the campaign for the 2022 World Cup and Erik ten Hag's men will be battling across three competitions during that period.
Eriksen, one of the squad's star performers this term, says the group's confidence has been increasing as the season has progressed and affirms the players are fully focused on making it a positive next fortnight or so, starting with tonight's Europa League game at Old Trafford against FC Sheriff.
"There are three competitions coming up and our aim is to be in as good a position as possible [before the World Cup]," Christian told us, in an exclusive interview.
Eriksen, one of the squad's star performers this term, says the group's confidence has been increasing as the season has progressed and affirms the players are fully focused on making it a positive next fortnight or so, starting with tonight's Europa League game at Old Trafford against FC Sheriff.
"There are three competitions coming up and our aim is to be in as good a position as possible [before the World Cup]," Christian told us, in an exclusive interview.
Ten Hag & Eriksen's Sheriff press conference Video
Ten Hag & Eriksen's Sheriff press conference
Press conference | Don't miss what Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen told the media at Carrington...
On the Europa League, he said: "Firstly we want to qualify, and then get through preferably as number one in the group without the play-off games [that second-placed teams will have].
"In the [Premier] League, we want to be as high as possible before we have the World Cup and we want to go through in the [Carabao] Cup so there are a lot of games we need to win.
"Everyone wants to play and be involved. And we know how many games there are, so everyone will get their opportunities to show they want to play.
"It’s just about taking the chances when you can and if you play well, I’m sure, under this manager, then you will play more."
"In the [Premier] League, we want to be as high as possible before we have the World Cup and we want to go through in the [Carabao] Cup so there are a lot of games we need to win.
"Everyone wants to play and be involved. And we know how many games there are, so everyone will get their opportunities to show they want to play.
"It’s just about taking the chances when you can and if you play well, I’m sure, under this manager, then you will play more."
Eriksen is one of a number of midfielders who have been in excellent form of late. Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes have all scored important goals in the last few games and the Denmark international says it's vital they all keep contributing.
"As midfielders I think we need to get more goals to help the team and really make the games easier to play. It’s a good start… I’m late [with my first goal], but if the guys keep scoring then we’ll be fine," he insisted.
On the recent form of Casemiro and his maiden strike for the Reds at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, a smiling Eriksen added: "I was very pleased for him, although he’s quicker than me to get his first goal! He’s a good guy for the club and I think he’s settled very well. You can see on the pitch he’s showing his quality.
"He brings a lot of calmness and a lot of experience at the same time. He’s played a lot of games and won a lot of trophies in his career. He knows how football will be played and he reads the game well, and he’s got good rhythm on the ball, so we’re in a good place."
"As midfielders I think we need to get more goals to help the team and really make the games easier to play. It’s a good start… I’m late [with my first goal], but if the guys keep scoring then we’ll be fine," he insisted.
On the recent form of Casemiro and his maiden strike for the Reds at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, a smiling Eriksen added: "I was very pleased for him, although he’s quicker than me to get his first goal! He’s a good guy for the club and I think he’s settled very well. You can see on the pitch he’s showing his quality.
"He brings a lot of calmness and a lot of experience at the same time. He’s played a lot of games and won a lot of trophies in his career. He knows how football will be played and he reads the game well, and he’s got good rhythm on the ball, so we’re in a good place."
Maintaining the rhythm
GalleryUnited train before Thursday's European fixture against Sheriff, our eighth match of October.
Casemiro's dramatic equaliser at Chelsea followed another late goal, McTominay's injury-time winner in our last Europa League outing against Omonia at Old Trafford.
"Of course we’d prefer to finish the games off earlier," said Eriksen with a smile.
"But at the moment we’re doing what we can and some last-minute goals always feel better, even when it’s a draw. Obviously the main thing is not losing.
"We’re getting more and more comfortable and getting more belief that we can win games."
"Of course we’d prefer to finish the games off earlier," said Eriksen with a smile.
"But at the moment we’re doing what we can and some last-minute goals always feel better, even when it’s a draw. Obviously the main thing is not losing.
"We’re getting more and more comfortable and getting more belief that we can win games."
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