Why Man Utd have signed Eriksen: Ten Hag's transfer strategy explained

United’s new manager intends to completely transform their style of play after years of counterattacking football under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in particular.

In order to make that happen he wants more technically gifted players, who are comfortable in possession and capable of receiving the ball in tight spaces.

Eriksen fits that profile perfectly – and along with top target, Frenkie de Jong, Bruno Fernandes and the returning Donny van de Beek, he wants to make United’s midfield the centre of his new system, packed with cultured footballers, a tactic which has proven so successful for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

At 30, Eriksen still has years left at the highest level – just look at the evergreen Luka Modric still pulling the strings in Real Madrid's midfield.

The Dane's performances at Brentford, less than a year after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during last year’s Euros, are evidence that he remains a top-class talent.

United know they are signing a player who is perfectly adept at handling the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

He brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership.

His stand-out role in Brentford’s dismantling of Chelsea – winning 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in April – is an example of the creativity and control he can bring to United.

A midfield of De Jong, Fernandes and Eriksen looks thrilling with the ball – but supporters may ask who will retrieve possession when United don’t have it.

Moves for De Jong and Eriksen point to the shift in philosophy under Ten Hag, who values control and sustained possession.

Eriksen provides options.

Ten Hag sees him as capable of playing deeper in midfield, as a double-10 alongside Fernandes, or as a straight 10.

He is a provider of goals – either through his vision and execution in open play, or via his dead-ball delivery.

United have desperately lacked creativity in the middle of the pitch – largely relying on service from wide areas or Fernandes’ goals from deeper.

They could make for a thrilling partnership in the guise of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva at City, as a double-10 behind the striker.

He could also serve as another provider for Fernandes, playing in a slightly deeper role.

Crucially, for Ten Hag, Eriksen will give him an alternative to the Portugal international, who has so often felt like an un-droppable member of the team, regardless of form.

Solskjaer originally moved for him in the summer of 2019 when it became clear the Ajax academy graduate would not sign a new deal with Tottenham.

But United were forced to quickly move onto other targets, with the player determined to move to Italy.

Even though he didn’t secure a transfer that summer, Eriksen eventually signed for Inter in January 2020 – and helped the Italian giants win the Serie A title the following season.

Possibly. United have not traditionally signed too many free agents, while other leading clubs around Europe have been smart at picking up out-of-contract players in their later years.

Clubs in Italy have used that market particularly effectively, while United have continued to buy at the top end.

To an extent, De Jong also fits the category of ‘second phase’ signings, with the Dutchman failing to fully live up to expectations at Barcelona; hence the Catalan giants’ willingness to sell this summer.

Having already seen Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard leave this summer, Ten Hag is unlikely to want to let anyone else go in the midfield department.

Scott McTominay is part of his plans and United will reject any approach for the Scotland international.

Fred could also be crucial as one of the few ball-winners at United’s disposal.

It will be interesting to see how Van de Beek fits in.

As a former Ten Hag player at Ajax, he will have been excited about a reunion – but he faces a major challenge for regular game time if De Jong ends up joining Eriksen at Old Trafford this summer.