TalkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy believes Manchester United's potential signing of Christian Eriksen is not the type of move they should be making if they want to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Eriksen was said to be a target for Newcastle United this summer, but reports this week suggest the Danish international is edging closer to signing for Man United on a free transfer in the coming days.
The 30-year-old spent the second half of last season at Brentford, as he looked to return to the pitch following his collapse at the European Championships last year. Despite his enforced break away from the pitch, Eriksen came back to the Premier League and produce a number of impressive performances for the Bees, helping them to a 13th place finish in their debut top-flight campaign.
Conversely, Man United endured a disappointing season last term, finishing in sixth place. Signing Eriksen is likely an upgrade on Man United's current crop of midfielders.
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Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT's 'White & Jordan', Murphy revealed that while he rates Eriksen, his signing is one that won't help Man United close the gap on the rest of their Premier League rivals.
Read the full transcript of Murphy and White's conversation below...
Danny Murphy: "I really like Eriksen and I've always admired him in terms of his creativity and the way he plays. He's free with his football, he tries things, he's good at set plays, he's got two good feet but would it excite me if I was a Man United fan? He's going to be a squad player isn't he? He's not going to play instead of Fernandes.
Jim White: "Is he a world-class player?"
DM: "No. World-class? Eriksen?"
JW: "World-class player."
DM: "No. No, no, no, no."
JW: "Is he not? Is he not in that bracket?"
DM: "No, no. He is a welcome addition to any squad because he's experienced and he has quality. But if you're looking at the big games when Man United compete against Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, is he going to play in their first XI? No. For Eriksen, it's a wonderful opportunity to be at a huge club again after everything he's been through. I understand why he would go there, I understand why the draw of Man United would get him over the line. But in the cold light of day, if they want to be competitive against Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, that's not the type of signing Man United should be making.
JW: "This is Christian Eriksen! You know more than me but he's a game-changer!
DM: "He could change a game, that's fair. He could come off the bench and change a game yeah, he could. But is he going to bring Man United closer to Liverpool and City? No. Nowhere near it."
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