Club chief reveals failed move for Man Utd midfielder

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has been confirmed as a recent summer target for Anderlecht by the Belgian club's chief executive for sport.

Eriksen played a significant role in his debut season at Old Trafford, which was curtailed by injury. But he became more of a back-up in 2023/24 following the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo. Manuel Ugarte has now arrived as well, but the Dane scored twice in the recent Carabao Cup thrashing of Barnsley.

He was linked with a move away, including to reported late interest from Real Betis, although the Spanish club wound up recapturing Giovani Lo Celso from Tottenham Hotspur instead.

Jesper Fredberg explained to Voetbal Nieuws: "We brought in Leander Dendoncker, in a position where real competition was needed. That's why we didn't need another experienced player in midfield, although Eriksen was an absolute opportunity, which turned out not to be feasible."

Eriksen has admitted that he would have been open to leaving Old Trafford if the club had told him there were no prospects for him at United. But that wasn't the case.

"If they told me to leave, I would leave, but I didn't hear that," he told the Manchester Evening News. "There's one year left [on my contract] so my focus is going to be on this year, going full-out and see what happens afterwards."

In addition to scoring two goals against Barnsley, Eriksen also set up United's fourth of the night for Alejandro Garnacho. He started the third round tie, having also been named in the starting XI for the win over Southampton in the Premier League a few days earlier.

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