Christian Eriksen isn’t just at Man Utd ‘for the logo’ as stats show he’s one of the kings of Prem assist despite two years away

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN didn’t join Manchester United just for prestige or a last day’s pay.

The Danish playmaker is determined to play an important role in Erik ten Hag’s rebuilding of Old Trafford – rather than sit on the bench and add the Red Devils to his CV.

After driving new signing Lisandro Martinez to Carrington for their first training session yesterday, Eriksen said: “I want to come here and play, I didn’t come just for the logo.

“Talking with the manager and hearing his ideas was great.

“With the manager’s ideas coming in and my conversations with him, I could see myself playing football here.

“It was ideal for me to decide to come to Manchester United. At the same time, it’s a very, very big club, if not the biggest.

“He has a great history and it’s a nice feeling to be part of something so important in history.”

Former Tottenham, Inter Milan and Brentford midfielder Eriksen hails from the famed Ajax academy.

And with Ten Hag having spent five years in charge of the Dutch giants before making his own switch to Old Trafford, Eriksen is confident the pair will be a great match.

The 30-year-old, who signed a contract until 2025, added: “My style of play matches his ideas and hopefully it’s something that will connect positively and positively.”

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Eriksen staged a remarkable comeback after his cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener with Finland last June.

When a £50m move from Spurs to Old Trafford fell apart in August 2019, Eriksen assumed his chances of joining United were all but gone.

However, having impressed with four assists and a goal in 11 games after joining Brentford for the second half of last season, his aim is to prove he belongs with the big boys.

He said, “It’s weird. I never thought this would happen, so being a Manchester United player is very special.

Eriksen has been second in the Premier League’s assists chart since making his debut in the competition in 2013 – despite being out for two years!

As United’s creative star, Eriksen follows some of the greatest English footballers of all time.

Legendary stars Bobby Charlton, George Best, Eric Cantona and Paul Scholes all pulled the strings at Old Trafford.

But Eriksen, unfazed, added: “It means a lot. It’s a club with a lot of history and a lot of great players have come here.

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“I’m a guy who wants to play football. I’m here to play and prove that I can be on this list.

Danish Bees boss Thomas Frank has given his compatriot the chance to return to the west London club.

United travel to Brentford on August 13, six days after their opener against Brighton at Old Trafford.

And despite rejecting the chance to extend his five-month stay at Brentford, Eriksen revealed it would be an emotional return.

He said, “It’s going to be weird being on the other side. It will be fun to see the fans in the stadium. But playing as a United player will be very different from being at home.

“I will be eternally grateful to them for what they have done. They showed interest and showed they cared from day one to want me back.

“They gave me the stage to play. It’s a big football club. »

Eriksen has played six times for Denmark since his recall in March and is desperate to compete at the World Cup.

He’s started all but one of four Nations League games last month, so his chances look good if he can start at Old Trafford.

Eriksen said: “Since I did my rehabilitation last year, the goal and the dream was to be back and fit for the World Cup.

“We all dream of playing in a World Cup. I’ve been there and done it before and you keep it with you forever.

“Going to a World Cup again with Denmark is very special.”

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