Christian Eriksen: To be a Manchester United player is very special
New Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen gave his first interview to the club media.
Christian Eriksen, Manchester United player… how does that sound to you?
"Ah, very new! It’s weird, I never thought it would actually happen, so to be here, like you say being a Manchester United player, it’s very special."
You mention there that you maybe didn’t think it was going to happen for you, but it’s a club you’ve always been linked with, so did you feel like maybe it was inevitable that you might end up at Manchester United?
"No, because I think from my career path before the incident in the Euros, the planning wasn’t to go back to the UK at all. I was thinking my time to go to Manchester United was before! Obviously, then I was at Spurs, and then went to Italy, but now to sit here is definitely something that I didn’t expect, but I'm also very happy that I’m here. It feels good, it feels good to be here."
You spent last season with Brentford and, this summer, you had plenty of options, so what attracted you to come to Manchester United, in particular?
"First of all, the football. 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."
You talked about the manager there – how influential was Erik in getting you to the football club?
"Very. 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. 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."
Erik’s Ajax teams were traditionally a very attacking style of football that you know well – is that something that you feel attracted you to this football club as well, that you know the way that Erik will play?
"Yeah, 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."