The signing of Christian Eriksen is seen as key to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United masterplan. The new manager has been charged with the responsibility of returning the ailing club to its former glories.
A major reason behind his appointment was a philosophy which he laid out to football director, John Murtough, during United’s extensive recruitment process.
Mauricio Pochettino had been favourite to land the job but Ten Hag convinced Murtough that he had a vision more closely-aligned to the club’s rich traditions dating back to Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former Ajax manager favours a modern, high-pressing system that is based on possession.
In the Netherlands, he led Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch cups, with a remarkable advancement to the Champions League semi-final in 2019 one of his most eye-catching achievements.
In order to implement his system at United, which includes intensive training drills in a bid to make his players learn his methods almost by muscle memory, he informed Murtough that a squad overhaul was required – with Eriksen one of his leading targets.
Here's why...
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