Christian Eriksen believes that Manchester United were lucky to avoid relegation from the Premier League and has thanked the club’s fans for not causing “chaos” when performances were poor.
A dire campaign came to an end with United finishing 15th in the Premier League, a record low, winning 11 games and ending with a goal difference of minus 10. They collected 42 points, 17 better than third-bottom Leicester, and Eriksen was frank in assessing his final season at the club.
“People are lucky that we are where we are, not relegated with the team, with the season we’ve had,” he said.
“Next season it has to be better and I’m sure it will be.”
Eriksen said that supporters’ consistent backing had been invaluable. “There’s been so many games this season where they could have caused a lot of chaos, where they would have been disappointed with our football,” he said. “But the fans, to our surprise, have really supported us.
“At home there’s been games where it’s been not good enough, but they’ve really been supportive and away, especially, they’ve been even more on their toes, even in the worst times. The club is happy to have those who really support the players and the club no matter what.”
Eriksen was signed by Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2022 and won the FA Cup and League Cup under the Dutchman before the manager was replaced by Ruben Amorim last October. Eriksen is confident that Amorim can make United contenders again.
“You’ve seen progress,” he said. “The results haven’t really shown that – 100% the results haven’t shown that. The football we [play now] and coming from under Ten Hag is going to take time to adapt. The players individually are very good and they should never be where we are in the table. It’s up to them to turn around but I’m confident they’ll be a very different team next season.”
Eriksen is leaving Old Trafford this summer but the 33-year-old will continue playing. “There’s a bit of a holiday and the national team,” he said. “Then after we’ll see where next season starts. There’s options, but at the moment there’s nothing [confirmed].
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here. It’s a club I’ve always looked up to – the club size and everything around it. I’ve loved the pressure, loved the style of play with the different managers and the people at the club.
“They’ve taken really good care of me and my family, so in that sense I’ve had three very good years. It’s been a lot of ups and downs in football, but in general I’ve had a special time.”
