Manchester United have announced the signing of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
Eriksen, 30, has joined United on a three-year contract. Eriksen is Erik ten Hag's second signing of the summer transfer window after the Dutchman signed compatriot Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord for £12.9million earlier this month.
After suffering a cardiac arrest at the European Championship last year, Eriksen left Inter Milan by mutual consent and, after making a full recovery, returned to football in January when signing a six-month loan deal with Brentford.
ALSO READ: Manchester United's training drills under Ten Hag pay off in Melbourne.
The player contributed one goal and four assists in 10 appearances during that spell with Brentford and he proved that he retains his talent, but how could United line up with Eriksen next season? We've taken a look at the options below.
4-3-3
The Premier League's best teams currently use the 4-3-3 formation and Ten Hag is expected to use that set-up next season.
Eriksen is naturally a No.10, but his quality would allow him to play deeper in a three-man midfield, perhaps alongside Fred and Bruno Fernandes. Eriksen's technical ability is exceptional and his range of passing could provide United with another dimension.
The 30-year-old averaged more ball recoveries, interceptions and fewer ball losses than Fernandes in the top flight last term. He also averaged more successful passes, successful long passes and passes to the final third than the Portuguese star.
4-2-3-1
Eriksen could also play in a 4-2-3-1 in two different positions. Although Bruno Fernandes has been an almost guaranteed starter during his time at the club, the arrival of Eriksen should ensure that he's now got genuine competition for his place.
Fernandes certainly wasn't at his best last season and Eriksen has the quality to take advantage of him struggling for form. Eriksen could play at No.10, the position which Fernandes has made his own, but he could also play deeper in a 4-2-3-1.
That would allow Eriksen and Fernandes to share a pitch and it would see the Denmark international play in the double pivot.
4-1-4-1
This formation, which places a great emphasis on attacking, might not work with United's current personnel, but if United were to sign a specialist defensive midfielder this summer then it could see Eriksen line up in a side that would look dangerous on paper.
Eriksen's excellent range of passing could fashion opportunities and it would help break the opposition's defensive lines, so the value he could add to attacking sequences shouldn't be underestimated, particularly against low-block sides.
This formation might leave United vulnerable in games of high importance, though.
READ NEXT:
