'Eriksen will force the squad to improve'

Saturday 16 July 2022 11:10

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes the arrival of Christian Eriksen will force everyone in our squad to up their game.

Eriksen became our second signing under new manager Erik ten Hag on Friday, following the transfer of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord at the beginning of July.

The playmaker spent the latter half of last season at Brentford, where he impressed with one goal and four assists in 11 appearances; a feat made all the more heroic after he recovered from a cardiac arrest during last year’s European Championships.

Brown couldn’t hide his excitement on the UTD Podcast, where he waxed lyrical about the 30-year-old who has enjoyed successful spells at Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan during a momentous career.

“I absolutely love that signing,” gleamed Brown. “What a fantastic player. A quality player. He’s also done it in the Premier League. I’m so happy that one’s gone through and he’s going to be a big part of this squad now.” 

Brown even excitedly imagined the moment Eriksen hits one of his famous long shots for the Reds: “What I’m looking forward to is the commentators going, ‘Erikssssssssen!’ [laughs]”

Eriksen signs for United

 Article

We are delighted to announce that Denmark international Christian has signed a three-year contract as a Red.

The Dane’s presence adds to the number of versatile options available to Ten Hag throughout midfield and attack. Capable of operating as a number 10 or deeper in midfield, Eriksen’s authority in possession allows him to dictate the pace of play wherever he is deployed.

“When he went to Brentford, I’m telling you now he changed their team,” noted Brown. “He brought that extra little bit of quality, whether it was delivering into the box or could see a pass. He can keep the ball and he’s not scared of the ball as well. He came back into the Premier League and has done really well.” 
Brown also highlighted the importance of Ten Hag adding a versatile player with Eriksen’s experience to the squad after the recent departures of Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani. 

“He’s got the experience [to play in attacking midfield or deeper],” he said. “We all know he plays a little bit higher, where Bruno [Fernandes] plays, but ultimately we don’t know what the manager’s thinking yet. Can he play somewhere else? The point is we have that rotation now.

Listen | Tour Pod: Victory in Melbourne

 podcast

Sam Homewood and Wes Brown are in Manchester to reflect on matchday two of Tour 2022, the 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory. As ever, they are joined by our travelling reporters in Australia Zarah Connolly, Sam Carney and Mark Sullivan for the latest behind-the-scenes insights into the trip. Our panel also reacts to the big news that United have signed Christian Eriksen on a three-year contract.

“He makes the squad feel better and he makes everyone step up their game,” continued Brown. “When you get good players in you have to step your own game up if you want to play. Eriksen is the player that has the quality to make others do that.”

“He’s very experienced and when we’ve seen him play, even his first spell in the Premier League with Tottenham, he was excellent.” 

Every pre-season game - including Crystal Palace (11:10 BST Tuesday 19 July) - will be shown live in our app and on ManUtd.com.

Essential videos from Australia:

  • Highlights: Melbourne Victory v United Video

    Highlights: Melbourne Victory v United

    Watch the short match highlights of our second Tour 2022 match: a top workout against Melbourne Victory at the MCG...

  • 90 in 20: Melbourne Victory v United Video

    90 in 20: Melbourne Victory v United

    Watch 20 minutes of extended highlights from Erik ten Hag's second match as United manager...

  • Full 90 | Melbourne Victory v United Video

    Full 90 | Melbourne Victory v United

    Full 90 | Watch every kick of our 4-1 win at the MCG to see why Erik ten Hag was so pleased with his players…

  • Ten Hag: The team reacted well Video

    Ten Hag: The team reacted well

    Erik tells Denis Irwin and Mark Sullivan what impressed him from our win over Melbourne Victory...

  • Elanga x Laird: We keep on building Video

    Elanga x Laird: We keep on building

    United duo Anthony Elanga and Ethan Laird spoke to MUTV following our triumph over Melbourne Victory...

  • McTominay: Tonight was a good test Video

    McTominay: Tonight was a good test

    Scott believes that our contest with an "organised" Melbourne Victory will benefit the Reds going forward...