Christian Eriksen can be wildcard solution to Manchester United problem role

There is a strange pattern to the reaction and speculation these days that follows Manchester United signing an attacking midfielder. Immediately, a large section of the fanbase, innocently debating where the new boy will play, unthinkably assumes they can occupy a deeper role.

It happened when Angel Di Maria signed, with some fans championing him as a left-sided central midfielder; it happened (albeit briefly) with Bruno Fernandes, who played a whole half of his debut match as a deep-lying playmaker; and it's still happening with Donny van de Beek despite Ten Hag's comments to the contrary.

The latest to be subjected to the treatment is, of course, Christian Eriksen. Fans have been quickly dreaming up imagined line-ups with the Dane involved, and many of them hypothesise that he could be the 'answer' in the midfield pivot.

READ MORE: United have to meet a new transfer deadline for midfield

The only problem is there's very little evidence to support that. Eriksen has occasionally played quite deep in midfield for Denmark, but virtually all his Premier League, Serie A and Eredivisie experience has come further up the pitch.

Part of the reason why supporters are so keen to push new attacking midfielders back is United's long-standing need for a defensive-minded player to properly hold the fort and protect their defence. Frustration that the Frenkie de Jong deal is not yet done is bubbling away; so too the pain of the last three summers when a defensive midfielder was not signed. United seem to sign a lot more No.10s than No.6s.

Another reason, of course, is the desire from nearly all fans for United to play front-foot football. But a positive and attacking approach cannot be reckless, even under a visionary new manager.