Manchester United

How Manchester United could line up with Christian Eriksen

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 August 2019

Manchester United are allegedly keen on signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen, but how would the Dane fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting lineup?

The arrival of centre-back Harry Maguire from Leicester City has left Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to focus his attention further up the pitch.

While a certain amount of priority is being placed on ensuring that either Romelu Lukaku or a direct replacement is available at the end of play on Thursday, Solskjaer remains eager to bring in a new midfielder.

Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes is still being linked with a transfer to Old Trafford, but Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian Eriksen is seemingly considered to be the most likely addition.

Spurs do not want to risk losing one of their most prized assets on a free transfer at the end of the season, leaving United to negotiate a deal for the Denmark international.

However, there would be question marks over where Eriksen would feature in Solskjaer's team, partly due to Paul Pogba remaining with the Premier League club.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the creator could be used by the Norwegian for the upcoming campaign.

While having Eriksen and Pogba at his disposal would be deemed to be a positive, it also has the potential to create problems for Solskjaer, who will want to ensure that his side improve on their poor defensive record last season.

Much like the World Cup winner, Eriksen is capable of playing as the most advanced of a midfield three, or in a role closer to the main striker.

There will be certain fixtures where Solskjaer will probably play both Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay, with the pair being able to offer much stronger defensive qualities.

However, should Eriksen and Pogba be included in the same starting lineup, they will likely be deployed either side of one of those pair, potentially McTominay due to his greater mobility.

More responsibility would also fall onto the shoulders of the wingers, which could see Solskjaer rule out playing the attack-minded Daniel James and Anthony Martial at the same time.

This is where Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata will be considered for selection in a bid to ensure that United are not too gung-ho in the final third.