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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Christian Eriksen is surpassing Gary Neville's expectations at Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen is surpassing the expectations Gary Neville had of him so far this season.

The 30-year-old has started all five of United's matches in the Premier League including the victory over Leicester City on Thursday. Following his struggles during United's loss to Brentford in the second game of the season, Eriksen has improved with the Dane quickly becoming one of the first names on the United teamsheet.

His good performances on the pitch may not surprise Neville too much having recommended a top six club should make a move for him. However, when he did so, Neville appeared to suggest Eriksen would be a useful squad player for a top side, rather than a guaranteed starter.

ALSO READ: United moments missed vs Leicester City

Speaking back in May on The Overlap, Neville said: "I think Eriksen will get plucked by a big club. He might show loyalty, to be fair, because of what Brentford have done for him.

"I tell you what, if you were any top-six club that were looking at a midfield three and you wanted a player to go in there and play 30 games for you in a squad-type [situation], you’d [take him]. He could play for Manchester City, he could play for Liverpool, he could play for any of the top six.

"I’m not saying starting every week, but he could come on. Look at what [Xherdan] Shaqiri was doing at Liverpool for two or three years there.

"If Liverpool are looking for a midfield player to come on for, say, Thiago [Alcantara] – who gets injured a little bit – why would you not look at Eriksen?

"Why would you not look to him to come in for two seasons and do a job for you doing that? He’s brilliant.

"He’s a brilliant pro, he’s a great player, his quality on the ball is unbelievable. To be fair, Brentford played out here [at Old Trafford], it was one of the games United won, but some of Eriksen’s passing in that game was out of this world at Old Trafford."

Neville will no doubt be pleased to see Eriksen progress beyond the point of being a squad player at United. With Erik ten Hag so far reluctant to change a winning team, the Dane is likely to be given another opportunity to impress against Arsenal.

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