Former Manchester United full-back Paul Parker seems to believe fans want to drive Christian Eriksen away in the summer, despite accepting that the former Tottenham star is not on the level he used to be anymore.
Eriksen, 32, has not been as influential this season and it doesn’t look like United can rely on the midfielder to play several games per week.
The Denmark international could be one of the players United look to move on in the summer, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sports group planning a mass clear out at the end of the season.
United should be trying to lower the squad’s average age and I think most people can accept Eriksen is not the player he was…If he still had the legs, there’s no denying that he’d still be good enough to play regularly for the Reds.
Paul Parker believes the criticism of Eriksen has been far too harsh.
Speaking to Tipsbladet, Parker said: “I think Eriksen is being treated unfairly by the fans. He’s been made the club’s scapegoat, even though there are so many other incompetent players in that club.
“He was unlucky when he got injured against Reading, and maybe he’s had a bit of difficulty finding his former level, but that doesn’t justify the criticism he’s received – especially after the loss to Fulham, where he didn’t even start.
“Eriksen gives himself a thousand times more than Rashford. A thousand times more. Why does he bother listening to it from the fans? They should be grateful because he chose to switch to Manchester United.”
Eriksen joined United in 2022 as a free agent – after a season-long stint at Brentford.
Parker added: “Eriksen will probably leave the club in the summer, and then they’ll likely realise what a fatal mistake they made by not supporting him, when they’re subsequently forced to watch players week after week who are only at Manchester United to earn money.
“Here we have a player who gives everything for the badge, the fans, and the city, and they treat him as if he’s worthless. It almost sounds like the majority of the club’s fans are ready to book him a one-way ticket and a companion who can wheel him away in a wheelchair.
“So, he hasn’t lost his legs, but it may well be that he’s gradually lost the desire to play for Manchester United.”
This all sounds very extreme from Parker because I have not noticed a high level of abuse from United fans towards Eriksen. If anything, I’ve seen nothing but respect for an experienced player.
Surely, stating that United should sell a player doesn’t qualify as abuse?
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