Manchester United’s free signing from this summer Christian Eriksen has revealed the toughest African player he has faced till now. The Dane has redeemed his career at Old Trafford after a short stint at Brentford post his recovery from cardiac arrest during the EUROs. Eriksen has so far featured in all seven of United’s games this season under their new manager Erik ten Hag.
Recently while talking in an interview on Premier League Productions, the 30-year-old was asked to pick a player from the African continent who he feels caused a lot of problems. Eriksen has entered his eighth season in Premier League, after previously spending seven years at Tottenham Hotspur. After an 18-month spell at Inter, he returned to England with Brentford and then switched sides with the Red Devils penning a three-year deal.
Christian Eriksen names Mohamed Salah as his toughest opponent
On being asked to pick a player from Africa who has been a tough opponent to go against, Christian Eriksen named Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah. While the Dane has faced some serious talent from the continent in the Premier League in Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez, he still went with the Egypt international. Eriksen said:
“I would have to say [Mohamed] Salah. He has been in the Premier League for a few years and also previously at Chelsea. But to play the level he has done, over the last few years, it has been pretty impressive.”
Salah has been a phenomenon at Liverpool, since joining them in 2017 from AS Roma for just £34 million. He has so far netted 159 goals and provided 66 assists in just 262 games for the Reds, helping them to their first Premier League title in 30 years alongside five trophies. Salah has also been named African footballer of the year for two consecutive years [2017 and 2018] ahead of the likes of Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
After leading Liverpool to a FA Cup and League Cup double as well as the Champions League final through 31 goals and 16 assists in 51 games, Salah has had a silent start to this season so far. The winger has collected only 2 goals and as many assists in 7 games so far. Liverpool too are struggling at the moment with only 2 wins to their name in those 7 games.
Meanwhile, Eriksen further talked about what convinced him to choose Manchester United over other offers. The midfielder cited “redemption” as the reason he wanted to come to United. He said:
“It [Manchester United] is one of the biggest clubs in the world. It was a redemption after what had happened — like proving you could get an offer from United. I had enough options to choose from but it was all about finding the right one. I had the opportunity to step up to what I had dreamed of and hoped for.”
Eriksen has had a mixed start at his new club, with United crashing to a defeat against Real Sociedad at home in the Europa League, despite entering the fixture on the back of four consecutive wins in the league. Nonetheless, they are well placed in the table at fifth and now return to the Europa League with a clash against FC Sheriff given the cancellation of Premier League fixtures following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.