EPL

Man Utd announce Christian Eriksen signing

By Sports Desk July 15, 2022

Manchester United have completed the signing of Denmark international Christian Eriksen on a three-year deal.

Eriksen had become a free agent following his short-term stay with Brentford, who were keen to keep hold of the playmaker.

A number of other teams had also been tipped to move for Eriksen, including his former club Tottenham, but United announced his arrival on Friday.

Eriksen said: "Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started."

It marks a remarkable step for Eriksen, who was brought back to life on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest when playing for Denmark against Finland at the European Championship in June 2021.

He made a full recovery but was not allowed to play for Inter on medical grounds as Italy prevents players from competing after having a cardioverter-defibrillator fitted.

Such rules do not apply in the Premier League, though, and Brentford offered the 30-year-old a route back into the game in January on a deal until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Eriksen made a huge impact by scoring once and assisting four more goals in 11 league appearances to help Brentford, who had been out of form prior to his arrival, stay up.

To highlight Eriksen's importance, he created 30 chances following his Bees bow in March, with only Martin Odegaard (38) and Kevin De Bruyne (42) topping that in the division.

Indeed, between making his debut on March 5 and the end of the season, only six Premier League teams earned more points than Thomas Frank's side (22 from 11 games).

That form led to a recall to the Denmark national side in March, and Eriksen scored in his first two games back against the Netherlands and Serbia.

Frank remained hopeful Eriksen could be persuaded to sign a new deal with Brentford, but that was not the case.

Eriksen becomes United's second signing of the window following the arrival of full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.

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    Van Nistelrooy returned to the club in July on a two-year contract as an assistant to Erik ten Hag.

    He was placed in interim charge after Erik ten Hag's dismissal last month. 

    The 48-year-old oversaw four games during his temporary tenure, earning victories over Leicester City in the EFL Cup and PAOK in the Europa League. United were then held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea, but Van Nistelrooy signed off in style with a 3-0 win over the Foxes in the Premier League on Sunday. 

    But Amorim, who began his new role on Monday, has decided against retaining the Dutchman's services, with the club saying the full men's first team coaching composition will be announced in due course.

    "Ruud is and always will be a Manchester United legend," the club said in a statement.

    "We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."

    Assistant Rene Hake, goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar and analyst Pieter Morel have also left the club.

    However, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will remain in his coaching role and continue his link between the first team and the academy.

  • Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach

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    Pereira, who made 154 appearances across three different spells with Sporting, has put pen to paper on a deal that runs through until 2027 with the Primeira Liga champions. 

    The 40-year-old also appeared five times under Amorim during the 2020-21 season, a campaign that saw Sporting claim their first top-flight title in 19 years. 

    Pereira has previously managed Sporting's Under-23 side, taking charge of 53 games and winning 20 of those (D17 L16), averaging 1.45 points per match. 

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    "As a player, Sporting gave me a lot, allowing me to play for the national team, join one of the best leagues in the world and return home twice," Pereira said. 

    "I only repaid them with a Super Cup and a national championship, which felt more like their gift to me.

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    But Pereira has a tough act to follow, with Amorim ending his glittering stint with the club on a high after a 4-2 win over Braga on Sunday. 

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    Ruben Amorim insisted he was "not naive" about the "difficult" task awaiting him as Manchester United's new head coach. 

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    The 39-year-old ended his glittering career with the Portuguese side having won 164 of his 231 games at the helm (D34 L33), bowing out with a win percentage of 71%, a club record. 

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    Though the Portuguese's arrival at the club and the positive results of late have lifted the mood in Manchester, Amorim acknowledged the enormity of the task at hand. 

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    "I have to talk with him [on Monday]," Amorim added. "I will explain everything. I'm very clear, and I will tell you like it is. So let's wait."

    Amorim now has 13 days during the international break to prepare for his match in charge, which comes at Portman Road against Ipswich Town on November 24. 

    His first Old Trafford outing comes four days later in the Europa League against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt. 

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