Christian Eriksen’s twilight years at Manchester United have become a saga of injuries and appearances on the bench. The Danish maestro, once the heartbeat of Tottenham’s midfield and a Premier League icon, now finds himself warming benches at Old Trafford, a reality that Denmark manager Brian Riemer admits is “difficult.” Riemer recently revealed in an interview with Tipsbladet that he once tried to sign Eriksen during his time at Anderlecht but the move failed.
Riemer, who worked alongside Eriksen during the playmaker’s brief stint at Brentford in 2022, didn’t hold back in praising the 33-year-old’s professionalism, “Despite his glorious career and all the honours he has achieved, he is completely down to earth and never stands in the way of helping a young lad around him”, He said. “I tried to bring him to Anderlecht, but unfortunately it didn’t work out,” Riemer added. The move collapsed last summer, with Anderlecht’s sporting director Jesper Fredberg later hinting at financial roadblocks.
Eriksen’s United career, meanwhile, has flatlined. Joining on a free transfer in 2022 from Brentford, he’s managed just 11 Premier League minutes in 2025 under Ruben Amorim. Compare that to Erik ten Hag’s era, where he started nine league games this season before Amorim’s arrival. Pundits blame the system: Amorim’s 3-4-3 demands relentless midfield legs—a trait Eriksen, at 33, can’t produce week in week out.
Eriksen’s United exile hasn’t cost him his Denmark spot yet. Riemer, now leading the Denmark national team, refuses to sideline a player he likens to Danish legends Michael and Brian Laudrup. Stats back this faith where Eriksen has 40 goals in 130 caps for Denmark, a national treasure despite his club woes. However, cracks are showing as former Danish stars are urging Riemer to drop Eriksen, arguing that a lack of playing time qualifies his exclusion, but Riemer is sticking with the Danish legend.
Eriksen’s United contract expires in June, with no renewal in sight. The club, desperate to lower their squad’s average age, signed Manuel Ugarte last summer and plans more midfield revamps. Anderlecht’s interest has cooled, but according to rumours, Celtic FC and various Danish clubs are interested in signing the midfielder. As Amorim benches him for better options to suit his 3-4-3 system, fans wonder if Riemer’s failed Anderlecht move was a missed escape route for Eriksen.