Christian Eriksen signing makes sense for Man United and Erik ten Hag

On a number of levels, Christian Eriksen is a signing that makes a lot of sense for Manchester United.

Summer departures mean United must restock their midfield, Eriksen's schooling in the ways of Ajax means he'll understand what Erik ten Hag wants to do, he would not only reduce the creative burden on Bruno Fernandes but offer a point of difference and, most pleasingly for the club's hierarchy, he is available on a free.

But bringing in the 30-year-old Denmark star must be just one part of the Ten Hag rebuild at Old Trafford and by no means the most urgent.

Eriksen is a top quality player but he is not the assured defensive midfielder United have desperately needed for about four years now. Nor is he a right-back, or a striker, the other areas of concern in the United team.

He would represent a smart piece of business, costing only his wages, but is just one piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

Eriksen remained coy about his next destination when asked about his future on international duty this week.

He'll head off on holiday following a positive season he probably didn't expect to have and consider all his options, keeping his phone close at hand for calls from his agent.

United are but one possibility. His former club Tottenham, who could offer Champions League football right away, are linked, as well as Everton.

Continuing at Brentford, where he relaunched his career so successfully in the second half of last season, is another possibility.

But, as Sportsmail reported on Wednesday, United are interested in the Dane and their parallel pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, who could cost them upwards of £65million, doesn't affect things. They have different skillsets, after all.

In truth, United will need more than one