Manchester United News: Before Sunday’s Nations League match between France and Denmark, Didier Deschamps waxed poetic about Christian Eriksen, Paul Pogba’s replacement at Manchester United.
Eriksen, 30, transferred from Brentford to the Red Devils in the summer on a free transfer. He made a name for himself as one of the top attacking midfielders in Europe while playing for Ajax, Tottenham, and Inter Milan; the latter team he helped lead to the Serie A championship in 2020–21.
Eriksen has excelled as a central midfielder for United under Erik ten Hag. His form has guided them to four straight Premier League victories. Such was his influence that the seasoned international was voted the club’s Player of the Month for September.
Paul Pogba, a France international, has been replaced by Eriksen in the centre of United’s midfield. Pogba, 29, returned to the Red Devils for a record-breaking £89 million transfer fee in the summer of 2016. However, but he did not live up to expectations, taking home just two major awards.
Manchester United News: What did Deschamps say?
After being let go by United in June, Pogba returned to Juventus. Due to a knee ailment, the Frenchman is yet to appear for the Italian team this year. He was also unable to participate in this month’s international matches. He’s probably going to miss the World Cup in Qatar.
In his team’s 2-0 loss against Denmark on Sunday, France manager Deschamps was unable to use Pogba because Eriksen was in charge. Before the game, Deschamps was eager to praise the United player’s performances this year; this opinion has probably not changed.
Deschamps noted that Christian Eriksen, an offensive player, “even astonished me, and not just because of what had transpired that could have been tragic for him.” But the talent he displays for his team in the position he plays, as he has always possessed fantastic technical skill.
But given how many games he plays and how frequently he plays midfield for his club, even his capacity to recover is remarkable. Additionally, he has always had the capacity to score goals and assist other players’ goals.
Remarkable form after cardiac arrest
Eriksen’s performance is noteworthy in light of the shocking heart attack he experienced during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match versus Finland in Copenhagen in June 2021. There were worries about his survival, let alone his ability to play again.
After his cardiac arrest, Eriksen had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted; however, players with an ICD fitted are not allowed to play in Serie A, so Eriksen was forced to leave Inter. In February, he made an emotional comeback while playing for Brentford.
What did Varane say?
In his first two minutes of play for his new country the following month, the midfielder scored. When his short-term contract with the Bees ran out in June, he was free to sign with United.
Raphael Varane recently remarked, “He [Eriksen] managed to adapt fast into the squad, he has a lot of qualities. After everything he has been through, we are thrilled to see him at this level. He offers expertise. Christian is a player I enjoy playing against.”
