Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has been confirmed as a recent summer target for Anderlecht by the Belgian club’s sporting chief executive.
Eriksen played a major role in his debut season at Old Trafford, which was cut short by injury. But in 2023/24 he became a substitute after the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo. Now Manuel Ugarte has also arrived, but the Dane has scored two goals recently Carabao Cup thrashing of Barnsley.
He was linked with a move away, including late interest from Real Betis, although the Spanish club ended up snapping up Giovani Lo Celso from Tottenham Hotspur.
Anderlecht considered an approach for Eriksen, but ultimately it was not “viable”.
Jesper Fredberg explained to him football news: “We brought in Leander Dendoncker, in a position where real competition was needed. That’s why we didn’t need another experienced player in midfield, although Eriksen was an absolute opportunity, which turned out not to be feasible.”
Eriksen has admitted he would have been willing to leave Old Trafford if the club had told him there were no prospects for him at united. But it wasn’t the case.
“If they told me to leave, I would leave, but I didn’t hear it,” he said Manchester Evening News. “I have a year left (on my contract) so my focus will be on this year, going to the top and seeing what happens next.”
As well as scoring twice against Barnsley, Eriksen also set up United’s fourth of the night for Alejandro Garnacho. He started the third-round tie, having also been named in the starting eleven for the win against Southampton in the Premier League a few days earlier.
