Manchester United have experienced a strong pre-season so far. Erik ten Hag's side are yet to taste defeat from four matches, scoring 13 goals in the process while conceding just four on the defensive side of the game.
Reinforcements are waiting back in Manchester for United, with Christian Eriksen yet to feature since agreeing to join the Old Trafford club this summer. This week, Eriksen will train with his new teammates for the first time.
His addition could be valuable after assessing how United have scored their goals in pre-season. Despite finding the net 13 times, not a single goal has originated from a set piece situation.
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Eriksen offers plenty more than his threat from set-pieces, with Ten Hag recently stating that he will 'bring creativity' in an interview with Sky Sports.
The Danish international is experienced, positionally versatile and proven in the Premier League, having also won Serie A while previously contracted to Inter Milan.
However, during his six-month spell with Brentford at the end of last season, Eriksen showcased how set-pieces can improve as a result of his presence.
Indeed, the Bees ended the campaign with more goals from set-pieces than all but three sides in the division: Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Eriksen registered four assists from 10 starts for Brentford. Two of those stemmed from set-pieces, with another originating from a cross into the penalty box in open play.
He ended his six-month period at Brentford having generated a total of 32 shots for his teammates, and he also registered a fair amount of pre-assists, which are defined as the pass before the actual assist.
United scored just seven goals from set-pieces in the Premier League last season, placing them 18th in the table ahead of only Norwich City and Watford, who both suffered relegation.
Having conceded six goals at the opposite end, United ended the season with a measly goal difference of +1 from set-pieces, compared to City's +20 and Liverpool's +13 at the summit.
Goals from set-pieces are decided by far more than the initial delivery into the box and Brentford are known for doing extra work around those situations on the training ground, but adding Eriksen should surely boost United's prospects.
Harry Maguire is often used as a target man at set-pieces by both United and England, given he is six feet and two inches tall, and if Eriksen can pick him out regularly, then United might have an unlikely attacking partnership on their hands.
