Christian Eriksen speaks on playing in different positions under Erik ten Hag

Christian Eriksen has turned out to be quite the signing by Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman has used him in a number of different positions this season.

Ten Hag made a theme out of signing players he was familiar with from the past and Eriksen is no different. Although he never managed Eriksen at senior level, he gave the former Spurs midfielder the chance to regain fitness earlier this year prior to his move to Brentford.

There were question marks over whether Eriksen would struggle to find a place in the United side, with heavy investments made over the summer to address a number of issues.

Those concerns were almost immediately put to bed when the season started as Eriksen became one of Ten Hag’s trusted right-hand-men.

So far this season, Eriksen has started games as a false nine, defensive midfielder/deep-lying playmaker and put in shifts on either wing as a makeweight for tactical changes.

Read more: Stat shows Man United hold lowest defensive line in the Premier League

Eriksen’s brief stint as a false nine, against Brighton in particular, coincided with United’s disastrous start to the season and Eriksen has now commented on his many positions and the ‘searching’ for a winning formula.

During that period we were probably searching – also for my own part,” Eriksen told Politiken, via Sport Witness, on the two opening defeats against Brighton and Brentford.

“I played many different positions in a very short time. First a little striker and then down in defensive midfield. In recent matches, I have played as an 8, and it suits me very well. It’s great that we’ve come back on top with wins, which have been good for us and created a bit of confidence.”

SN’s verdict…
All successful teams have that one player who can plug any hole and thus far, it seems like Eriksen is that kind of player for Ten Hag. It’s not as glamorous as earlier in Eriksen’s career but he’s still a very important player.

As things stand, it looks like Ten Hag has decided on one position for Eriksen and that’s the deep-lying midfield role. Scott McTominay seems to flourish next to Eriksen and it remains to be seen whether Casemiro can break into the side.

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