Club make Christian Eriksen transfer admission as Man United sent Leon Goretzka message

Anderlecht CEO Jasper Fredberg says the Belgian club had the opportunity to pursue a move for Christian Eriksen this summer but, ultimately, a would-be deal was not "feasible" for them.

The Manchester United playmaker, who scored a brace in Tuesday night's 7-0 win against Carabao Cup opponents Barnsley, told The Manchester Evening News he'd no intention of leaving Old Trafford this summer. He said: "If they told me to leave I would leave, but I didn't hear that."

The Daneadded: "There's one year left [on my contract] so my focus is going to be on this year, going full-out and see what happens afterwards." Speculation over the 32-year-old's future emerged this summer - as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his boardroom team from Ineos trimmed up the squad.

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Eriksen had been linked with a potential return to Ajax, while Anderlecht also emerged as an interested party for his signature. Club chief Fredberg confirmed that prospect, but explained exactly why the Belgians ultimately did not advance with a formal approach.

Speaking to Voetbal Nieuws, he said: "We brought in Leander Dendoncker, in a position where real competition was needed. That's why we didn't need another experienced player in midfield, although Eriksen was an absolute opportunity, which turned out not to be feasible."

United cashed-in on Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri from their midfield ranks this summer but secured the £42.3million arrival of Manuel Ugarte from PSG, who made his debut against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

With the long-term futures of Eriksen and Casemiro still unclear, United