Ex Liverpool star gives contrary verdict on Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes duo at Man United

Christian Eriksen won plenty of plaudits for his showing in Manchester United's win over Arsenal.

The 30-year-old dovetailed to great effect with fellow midfielder Bruno Fernandes as United sealed a 3-1 win over the Gunners to claim a fourth successive win. But not everyone was impressed with Erik ten Hag's decision to use the pair alongside the more defensively-minded Scott McTominay in a midfield trio.

Former England and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes United will "struggle to win anything" employing such a tactic. And although he has retracted a previous comment about Eriksen being unable to play a deeper role, Murphy stands by his assessment that playing the Dane and Fernandes together will not work against the top sides.

Read more: Bailly accuses United of favouring English players

Murphy said on talkSPORT : "I think he [Eriksen] has proven me wrong with his contribution from a deeper area. He's a wonderful passer of the ball, I've never disliked Eriksen and I've never, ever said that.

"He's a super player technically, I just don't think in any midfield you can have two players in a midfield three. I don't think you can have two players who aren't defensively minded and win anything. That's my belief.

"You can talk about [Manchester] City when they've had the likes of Bernardo Silva and [Kevin] de Bruyne, but their work ethic and the defensive part of their game is better than the two I've just mentioned.

"I am still convinced that if Eriksen and Fernandes play in the same team consistently against the top opposition, they'll struggle to win anything."

READ NEXT: