Eriksen's influence Manchester United have spent £225.4million on new players this summer, but the one that Erik ten Hag can't do without didn't cost a penny and arrived with little fanfare.
In amongst a spending spree on Brazilians and Argentineans, Christian Eriksen doesn't have the glamour of some of his fellow new boys, but none of United's summer signings have played more minutes than the Dane this season.
He has missed just eight minutes of United's first six Premier League games and in a competitive midfield, he is beginning to look undroppable. READ MORE: United player ratings vs Arsenal The 30-year-old was a shrewd addition this summer, but he was expected to add competition and depth rather than prove to be an integral cog in Ten Hag's machine.
But his intelligence and quality on the ball have proved to be vital to United's adaptation to their new manager. Eriksen is a classy footballer who is relishing still having the chance to perform on the big stage.