Christian Eriksen completes free transfer to 'special' Manchester United

Christian Eriksen has completed a free transfer to Manchester United, becoming Erik ten Hag’s second signing as manager.

Eriksen has signed a three-year contract until June 2025 after coming through a stringent medical.

The Denmark playmaker will not join United’s pre-season tour of Australia given that the club see little value in him travelling to the other side of the world for only the final days of the trip. United are due to fly home next Saturday after their final game, against Aston Villa in Perth. 

It completes an extraordinary past 12 months for the former Tottenham and Inter Milan player, with many wondering if he would ever play again after his cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at the European Championships last summer.

Eriksen trained with Ten Hag at Ajax at the start of the year as he sought to regain his fitness before a move to Brentford and so is already familiar with the Dutchman and believes United are primed for success under him. 

“Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started,” Eriksen said. “I have had the privilege of playing at Old Trafford many times but to do it in the red shirt of United will be an amazing feeling.

“I have seen Erik’s work at Ajax and know the level of detail and preparation that he and his staff put into every day. It is clear that he is a fantastic coach.

“Having spoken with him and learned more about his vision and the way he wants the team to play, I am even more excited for the future. I still have major ambitions in the game, there is a huge amount that I know I can achieve, and this is the perfect place to continue my journey.” 

John Murtough, the United football director, believes Eriksen’s quality and leadership will make him a valuable