Danny Murphy insists Manchester United fans ‘should not be happy’ about the ‘underwhelming’ signing of Christian Eriksen – and claims the Dane isn’t a ‘world class’ player.
Eriksen has ended speculation surrounding his next move in football by verbally agreeing to join United as a free agent on a three-year deal.
It continues a remarkable comeback for the 30-year-old playmaker who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch playing for Denmark at the European Championships just 13 months ago.
Danny Murphy (right) insists he would be ‘underwhelmed’ by Christian Eriksen’s (left) signing if he was a Manchester United supporter
And now the Dane, who shone for Brentford in the second half of last season, has decided to make the move to Old Trafford – but Murphy believes it’s nothing to get excited about for United supporters.
‘I really like Eriksen, I’ve always admired him in terms of his creativity and the way he plays his football,’ Murphy told talkSPORT. ‘He tries things, he’s good at set-plays, two good feet but would it excite me if I was a United fan? He’s going to be a squad player, isn’t he?
‘He’s not going to play instead of [Bruno] Fernandes.’
When asked whether Eriksen is a ‘world class player’, Murphy took no hesitation in answering.
Murphy claims the Danish playmaker is ‘not world class’ and will be a ‘squad player’ at United
Eriksen is set to become one of Erik ten Hag’s (pictured) first signings as Man United manager
‘No. World class? Eriksen? No. No, no, no, no.’
Former Tottenham midfielder Murphy did concede that Eriksen could change a game from the bench for United but insisted his signing doesn’t help bridge the gap to the top two sides in the league – Manchester City and Liverpool.
‘He is a welcome addition to any squad because he is experienced and has quality,’ Murphy added. ‘But when you’re looking at the big games when United are competing against Liverpool, [Man] City and Chelsea, is he going to play in that first XI? No, is the answer.
‘For Eriksen it is a wonderful opportunity to be at a huge club again for everything he’s been through. I understand…