Christian Eriksen has revealed that the presence of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United played an important role in him deciding to join the club on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old starred for Brentford in the second half of last season and had the option to sign another contract with the Bees but instead decided to make the move to Old Trafford.
Eriksen has signed a three-year deal with the 20-time English champions and could make his debut against either Atletico Madrid or Rayo Vallecano in the team's friendly fixtures this weekend.
The Denmark international called Man United "a very, very big club" when asked why he decided to turn down interest from elsewhere to make the move to the Red Devils.
"First of all, the football," Eriksen told MUTV. "I mean, I'm a guy who wants to play football and I think, with the idea of the manager coming in and the ideas he had, and also with my conversations with him, I mean I could see myself playing football in Manchester.
"And, at the same time, it's a very, very big club – if not the biggest. If you pronounce it anywhere, they know where it's from, they know where the locals come from. It has a big history and it's a nice feeling to be part of something that is that big in history."
Eriksen also said that Ten Hag's presence at the club made him want to move to Old Trafford, and the experienced attacker is confident that he can thrive under the Dutchman.
"I want to come here to play football, I don't come here just for the logo itself, I want to come here and play," Eriksen added.
"Obviously, to speak with the manager and hear his ideas and have conversations with him on the football terms, was great and ideal for me to get the decision and the possibility of coming to Manchester United.
"I think my style of play hopefully fits in with his ideas and, hopefully, it's something that will connect in a good and positive way. So, of course, his style of football, I think it suits me."
"The fact that we get him, we have him now in our squad, tells everything, because I think we were really selective. It was not the point to get players in, but the right players in. I'm really happy that we succeed with Christian Eriksen," Ten Hag told MUTV earlier this month.
"The expectations are there. That's why we get him. I'm convinced he will fit into the squad and in certain facts of our game, he will help us. I'm looking forward to that.
"I think it's quite good. What do you say? He's an experienced player. He plays in countries abroad, in Italy, in Holland, a long time in England, so he knows the Premier League. It's an absolute advantage that we have him in.
"I think he is a magnificent football player and I think the fans will enjoy watching him, because he's creative, he has ideas. I think especially our strikers will also be happy because he's the one who can involve them in the game."
Eriksen had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device fitted after suffering a cardiac arrest while representing Denmark at Euro 2020, which saw him leave Italian giants Inter Milan.
As a result, the midfielder moved to Brentford on a free transfer in January, and he scored once and provided four assists in 11 Premier League appearances in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign. body check tags ::
