Manchester United had filed an offer to sign the Denmark international out of contract – but reports claim he is set to decline it in favor of staying in London next season
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According to reports, Christian Ericsson has become the third player in a matter of days to turn down an approach from Manchester United.
Erik ten Haag was hoping to make his first window in charge early – inheriting a Red Devils team coming into their worst Premier League season. And while there have been plenty of departures – with Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata – the Dutchman is yet to score his first goal.
The 52-year-old is set to take on his first season as United boss later this month, when his players gather for what promises to be a busy pre-season. It was expected that the main targets of Ten Haag would have already been signed on the dotted line to ensure a smooth transition.
But with less than two weeks from the players returning to Carrington, the new first team manager is facing further transfer frustration. athletic Reports say Ericsson is set to return to Tottenham despite receiving an offer from United last week.
Ericsson proved he still exceeded the demands of Premier League football, shining for Brentford during the second half of last season. Less than a year after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Euro 2020, the Dane recorded four assists in just 11 games for the Bees.
He was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which enabled him to continue his career at the top of European football. Ericsson’s performance under Thomas Frank has persuaded teams at the top of the league to make a move for the 30-year-old.
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Tottenham and Brentford quickly registered their interest, before being exchanged for United. Ten Haag got his first glimpse of Ericsson’s talent while he rebuilt his match fitness with Ajax last year.
However, a new report of athletic claims United are out of the race to sign him, after making it clear that he wishes to stay in the capital. Frank held talks with his compatriot in midweek, but the midfielder is taking his time before making a final decision.
His outright refusal of United’s offer will do little to ease Ten Haag’s frustrations, with both Jurienne Timber and Frankie de Jong in balance. The Red Devils boss has targeted the former Ajax duo and was confident of sealing a reunion with the two.
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However, the Timbers are set to stay in Amsterdam due to play concerns. world cup time in year While de Jong has offered little to suggest he would be willing to leave Barcelona in the coming weeks.
“You are always happy when teams show interest in you as a player,” de Jong said while on international duty with the Netherlands. “But I feel like I’m in the biggest club in the world right now, I feel good there, so no news.”
Ten Haag is keen to add midfield reinforcements and see the situation as their top priority in this window. Other reported targets include Wolves stars Ruben Neves and Yuri Tielemans – who have just one year left on his current Leicester contract.
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