Christian Eriksen has been labelled as a 'squad player' by former Liverpool star Danny Murphy as his transfer to Manchester United edges closer.
The midfielder was exceptional for Brentford last season after the Bees gave the Dane a chance following his release from Inter Milan, as a device fitted to prevent further heart issues was not allowed under Serie A ruling. But Eriksen repaid Brentford for putting their faith in the midfielder, and elite European clubs have circled ever since.
it appears that United have won the race for Eriksen, after both Tottenham, Newcastle and Brentford to his signature. But Murphy believes that Eriksen is not "world-class", and sees him as nothing short of a squad player.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Murphy understood Eriksen's reasons for agreeing to join United, but slammed the Red Devils for their lack of intent by signing the star. Murphy said: "I've always liked Eriksen. In terms of his creativity, the ways he plays and how he's free and tries things and is also good with both feet.
"But would it excite me if I was a United fan? No. I'd be underwhelmed by it. He's going to be a squad player isn't he? He's not going to play ahead of Fernandes."
And when asked by show host Jim White if he thought Eriksen was world-class, Murphy replied: "No. World-class? No, no. He is a welcome addition to any squad as he is experienced and has quality.
"But if you're looking at the big games when United are competing against Liverpool, City and Chelsea, is he going to play in their first XI? He won't start, not in the big games.
"For Eriksen, it's a huge opportunity to be at a big club again after everything he has been through so I understand why he would go there. I understand why the draw of United would get him over the line.
"But if they want to be competitive again, that's not the type of signing United should be making. He could come off the bench and change a game, but is he going to bring United closer to Liverpool and City? No."
Erik ten Hag has begun pre-season training at United, and there is still a lot of work to be done in the transfer market after 11 first team departures. So far only Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia have agreed to join, with Frenkie de Jong's move looking doubtful.
