new boy Christian Eriksen says he is happy to play in whatever role Erik ten Hag gives him and is confident he will strike up a good relationship with Bruno Fernandes.
The Dane is capable of playing in a variety of positions, predominantly lining up as a No.10 during his stint with Brentford last season, though he has often played a deep-lying playmaker role or as a box-to-box midfielder.
There had been suggestions that his arrival would clash with Fernandes, who already occupies the No.10 slot in the 4-2-3-1 formation, and could see Eriksen used predominantly deeper or off the bench.
But Ten Hag has also used a 4-3-3 formation which would allow the two creators to line up alongside each other ahead of a more defence-orientated sitter.
Eriksen himself foresees no issues playing alongside Fernandes, while he has suggested his position in Ten Hag’s team is not massively important and he will look to affect the play from wherever he lines up on the pitch.
Asked if he liked playing in a deeper midfield role against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Eriksen told MUTV: ‘Yeah. First of all I think you play where the manager wants you to play! He puts out the team and you then you try to go from there.
‘Obviously some games you come in different situations, the aim is still the same: to be involved as much as possible whether it’s as a 10 or an 8 or anywhere.’
Asked specifically about playing alongside Fernandes, Eriksen continued: ‘I can’t see any problem playing with Bruno.
‘Before I came, I spoke to [Ten Hag] about how he sees me as a player and where he sees me. He didn’t mention any players.
‘Obviously, he puts the team out and picks who’s going to start, and then from there on you adapt to whoever you’re playing with.
‘I’ll be happy wherever; I’ve always been like that. I try to adapt to the position I’m playing in.’
United endured a difficult campaign last season, narrowly claiming a Europa League place and finishing 35 points adrift of eventual champions Manchester City; Eriksen, though, is hopeful of closing the gap to both City and Liverpool.
He added: ‘The aim will be to get as close as possible to them. They’ve proven in the last few years how much better they were than the rest so it will be for us to close the gap as soon as possible and see where it finishes.’
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