Michael Carrick ‘not surprised’ by ‘fantastic’ Man Utd star who has led from front during winning run

Rob McCarthy 26 Sep 2022 10:05 PM

Michael Carrick admits that he is ‘not surprised in any way by the form shown by Christian Eriksen since his move to Manchester United.

The Denmark legend signed a three-year deal with the Red Devils in July after his short-term contract with Brentford concluded at the end of last season.

The former Tottenham man made an impressive start to life at Old Trafford. Indeed, he’s started all six of their Premier League outings so far.

The 30-year-old started the season playing slightly further forward. However, he’s now settled into a central partnership with Scott McTominay that has seen Erik ten Hag’s men win their last four games after losing their opening two.

Eriksen’s quality on possession and passing range has brought up comparisons with former United favourite Carrick. Indeed, there is a feeling that the Red Devils finally have a midfielder capable of controlling the tempo of games again.

And Carrick admits he’s not surprised that Eriksen has the game running in Manchester.

He said: “I’m not surprised one bit [by Eriksen’s form].

“I played against him a lot and I watched him a lot. I like him a lot. He’s a fantastic footballer. He’s clever, he’s smart.

“It almost doesn’t matter what position he plays. He can adapt. He’s just a clever, intelligent footballer with great quality.

“I was pleased when we signed him, and he’s not surprised me one bit. He’s a top player.”

Scholes in agreement over ‘intelligent’ Eriksen

Another United legend Paul Scholes clearly agrees with Carrick, and he feels Eriksen has solved a problem created by two United players.

For one, the Dane has broken up the partnership of McTominay and Fred that ‘was not working’. Secondly, McTominay is now playing in a role that suits him better alongside someone more creative.

Speaking on Gary Neville’s Overlap YouTube channel recently, Scholes was asked what qualities he looks for in a midfielder.

After naming the main trait, he labelled Eriksen a “perfect” example of an intelligent operator.

“Intelligence, clever players with a brain,” said Scholes. “[Eriksen] is a perfect example of a player who plays with intelligence.

“He’s a clever player, he knows where he is on the pitch and knows where others are on the pitch.”

When he outlined further what it is specifically that lets Fred and McTominay down, Scholes continued: “Maybe I was a bit harsh on Scott and Fred. But they were just back to goal all the time.

“Forward players facing their goal, it’s a waste of time. You should be on the half-turn, so I can still see you [the player passing], but I can see my forward as well.

Forward-thinking Eriksen makes big difference

“Playing round the corner, you saw Casemiro do it, Eriksen does it all the time.

“The goal they scored, Eriksen received it on the half-turn, passed it forward to Fernandes, who was on the half-turn, and they scored. Small things annoy me, but if you’re playing for Manchester United you should be capable of that.

“You’d expect that wouldn’t you?”

Eriksen and United will be back in action for United on Sunday when they head to Manchester City for the derby.

A win for Ten Hag’s men will take them to within two points of their bitter rivals. And considering where they were after the opening two games that would be some achievement.

Manchester United Michael Carrick Christian Eriksen