Manchester United should go all out for Christian Eriksen in January
Christian Eriksen looks destined to leave Tottenham in the winter transfer window, and Manchester United should make him their first priority.
According to a recent article by The Sun, the Danish midfielder has rejected a fresh contract offer from Spurs worth £150,000-a-week, as he looks to secure a transfer soon.
Jose Mourinho has lined up his new team in a 4-2-3-1 formation in his first couple of matches, but has preferred Dele Alli over Eriksen so far in the number 10 role. The 23-year-old English star has also repaid his trust with solid performances.
With Eriksen’s current contract expiring next summer, Spurs risk losing him on a free if they don’t sell him in January. This could give United the bargaining chip they need.
The Red Devils are struggling in 9th place on the Premier League table, with their hopes of a top 4 finish practically over. Their problems so far this season suggest that a player like Eriksen could really help their cause.
United have actually performed really well against big sides under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, defeating Chelsea twice (once in the league, and once in the EFL Cup), and holding Liverpool to a draw at Old Trafford.
Their 4 defeats in the league have come against sides like Newcastle, Bournemouth, West Ham and Crystal Palace. These teams are very comfortable putting 10 men behind the ball when they’re out of position, and United simply don’t have the creativity to break them down once they concede a goal.
With Paul Pogba out on a long-term injury (and the speculations around him refusing to disappear), Solskjær has relied on Andreas Pereira to play the attacking midfield role and create scoring opportunities.
The Brazilian youth graduate has had a mixed season so far, and simply doesn’t have the consistency to play the role regularly for a top 6 Premier League side. Angel Gomes is still far too young to be thrust into the starting XI.
Eriksen might have had a torrid season at Spurs so far, but he has a lot of experience in the English top flight, and his numbers speak for themselves. When he’s in form, he’s arguably among the 3 best playmakers in the country.
He’s still only 27, and has a solid 5 to 6 years left at the top-level of football. Maybe a change of surroundings could be exactly what he needs.
Tottenham already have Giovanni Lo Celso to fill his shoes if needed, with Bruno Fernandes also reportedly a transfer target. Eriksen will probably be the only midfielder of his quality available for less than £50 million in January.
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Solskjær’s only realistic hope of Champions League qualification for next season will be by winning the Europa League, where he will often come across teams playing a deep block. Eriksen is the obvious solution.