Eriksen previews Fenerbahce clash

Eriksen's honest answer on systems

Thursday 24 October 2024 08:00

Christian Eriksen says he is happy playing in a range of systems, as long as he's on the ball.

The Dane is enjoying a fine individual start to the campaign, scoring four times and assisting a further four for club and country so far.

Eriksen may be tasked with replacing the suspended Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United's primary playmaker against Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday, but he says that's just fine for him during a wider discussion on availability and adaptability during Wednesday's press conference, with Erik ten Hag.

Here's what Eriksen said in Istanbul...

I’M ALWAYS READY

“Yeah, I think every season is different. I think some seasons you play and some seasons you don't and obviously with the injuries I had I was a bit in and out of the team in the last two seasons, but have always been available when I'm fit. And of course, like I said, I enjoy playing for United in midfield. Definitely. Of course, as a player you want to play as much as possible, but in the end it is a manager who takes the decisions on who's playing and you do your best when you can.”

SYSTEM IS FLUID

“For me, it doesn't matter what system you're playing. I think every game is different. I think every game you're going to see a so-called 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 4-5-1. You're going to see all of it, I think, at times in the game, but I'm just happy wherever the ball is.”

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH ATMOSPHERE

“Yeah, I've played in Turkey. It's a lot of years ago, with Denmark with the national team against Turkey. So I know what it's like to play in Turkey. But obviously I missed the Galatasaray game last season, where I think we saw up close how the atmosphere could be. And I think the Fenerbahce game tomorrow will be very similar, but like the coach said, I think we enjoy playing in these environments. And I think when you, after a few minutes of the game has been going on, I think just continue playing football and yeah, it's nice that people are following it and giving it a bit of a good atmosphere at the same time.”

CONFIDENCE IS EVERYTHING

“I think the confidence obviously is a big part. I think when you draw, when you lose, I think the confidence is down a bit. And I think also when I spoke at that time [after Twente], it was probably here at the moment after you felt like you were winning the game and you lost or you felt like you lost, but it was a draw, obviously. But I think since then I do feel like the group is getting together and yeah, we played some good games since and obviously we want to win every game possible. When you play at United, I think it's the aim and that's what we're going to go for no matter what.”

ON THE FUTURE

“It's not really up to me, when my contract runs out, I think it's up to the club and the position. But no, I’m really enjoying my time [here]. I have done for the last few years and I still do. So when the summer comes, I think if the offer is there from them, I definitely take it serious.”

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