When Juan Mata pulled Brentford apart at Old Trafford in May it sparked a pang of regret amongst Manchester United that the playmaker was leaving having barely been used all season.
That was Mata's first Premier League start of the season and he rolled back the years to steer United to one of their few impressive wins under Ralf Rangnick.
The Spaniard was given time on the ball to be the architect of a stylish attacking performance and it was a fitting home farewell, but the reality was the game had been played at a speed to suit him.
READ MORE: Eriksen explains why he is joining United
He wasn't the only creative midfielder to sparkle that night. Christian Eriksen was excellent for Brentford and didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
Eriksen's revival in his six months at the Bees was one of the Premier League's feel-good stories last season, but in amongst the romance of his return his performances reminded people that he was an outstanding footballer.
With Mata departing United this summer, along with other creative midfielders such as Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, there was always a vacancy to be filled. Mata and Lingard barely featured and Pogba became a peripheral presence, but it was experience and options that needed replacing.
In a summer where the transfer budget needs to be stretched, moving for a free agent like Eriksen always looked to be a potentially shrewd move. He is an upgrade on Mata and Lingard and will likely prove a more consistent threat than Pogba ever was.
Football director John Murtough explained the reasons for signing Eriksen and it's a deal that makes perfect sense. In a window that has been difficult for United, this might be one of their best deals.
“Christian has been one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe throughout his career. It is no surprise that he had so many options this summer, so we are really happy that he was convinced that this is the right club for him," said Murtough.
“In addition to his outstanding technique, Christian will add valuable experience and leadership skills to the squad, and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits of these qualities on the pitch this coming season and beyond."
That experience is clearly key. Ten Hag valued it at Ajax, signing older players to fit in around that club's existing youngsters. As well as Mata, Lingard and Pogba, United have also lost Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani this summer.
Eriksen will strengthen the experience in the squad, but for Ajax, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Denmark, he has also been an outstanding technical footballer, and he is still only 30. Where he fits in under Ten Hag will be intriguing.
He likes like potential competition for Bruno Fernandes but could also, theoretically, play deeper, although it's hard to see a midfield of Fernandes, Eriksen and Frenkie de Jong being a success in the Premier League.
Eriksen spoke to Ten Hag before the move and clearly sounds enthused by his plans.
"Having spoken with him and learned more about his vision and the way he wants the team to play, I am even more excited for the future," said Eriksen.
"I still have major ambitions in the game, there is a huge amount that I know I can achieve, and this is the perfect place to continue my journey."
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