As the transfer window ground to a halt, serious questions were emerging about the future of a player who had fallen down the pecking order under Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
After turning down moves to the MLS, Turkey or the Middle East – and after interest from Ajax and Anderlecht came and went – the seldom-seen Red Devil found himself in an ‘unsustainable’ situation at Old Trafford.
At least, that was according to Christian Eriksen’s Denmark boss, Lars Knudsen.
Six weeks on, things have changed. Things are looking up for a man who barely kicked a ball in Premier League action during the final few months of 2023/24.
Eriksen started four games in a row in all competitions in September. The veteran playmaker was arguably Ten Hag’s most impressive performer against Crystal Palace and Southampton, while Eriksen scored twice in Man United’s 7-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of Barnsley.
And, speaking ahead of Denmark’s UEFA Nations League clash with European champions Spain on Saturday, Manchester United’s number 14 now insists that his decision to stay put and fight for his place has clearly been justified.
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Christian Eriksen explains why he did not leave Manchester United
“I had no thoughts about moving on,” Eriksen claims, telling Bold that he was never told he had no future at Man United.
“I didn’t hear from the club that they wanted to sell me or that I had to leave. I really just felt that the family and I were doing really well. If something really exciting came along, or something where I really felt ‘I want to try this’, then fair enough. But it wasn’t that I had to leave.
“There are a lot of questions and thoughts from outside when you don’t play at the start of the season, when the transfer window is still open.
“But I feel that it was the right choice [to stay]. The family is fine, I am fine. And now I get playing time again at a club like Manchester United.
“[The decision I made] can’t be too wrong!”
Former employers Ajax considered a move to bring the 32-year-old back to Amsterdam at one point over the summer.
Meanwhile, Belgian giants Anderlecht ruled out a move due to Eriksen’s hefty wages, CEO Jesper Fredberg confirmed.
Eriksen says no talks yet over new Man United deal
With his contract running until 2025, questions over Eriksen’s future will rear their head once again over the coming months.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Brentford ace admits that there are no talks over a potential extension at this stage, with Eriksen’s age likely to count against him as Man United look to shift towards a team built around youth and potential in the Ineos era.
“I have one year left [on my contract]. And then we can have another conversation next year,” Eriksen explains.
“No, we are not there at the moment [with regards to holding talks over a new deal].”
Eriksen’s Man United revival took at hit against FC Twente in the Europa League. After opening the scoring with a superb finish, Eriksen then lost possession in the build up to Sam Lammers’ shock equaliser.
Man United legend Paul Scholes still feels Eriksen’s revival is a positive for Ten Hag, however, given the lack of composure in possession displayed by many of the other midfielders on the club’s roster.
“It has actually got a bit better since Eriksen has come into the team,” Scholes said. “In those first three games (of the season), he didn’t play, and we were all over the place.
“I think Eriksen does still bring that little bit of control.
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