Struggling Manchester United player told to “go home” so they can end “beautiful” career

Ex-Manchester United defender Paul Parker thinks Christian Eriksen should return home to Denmark as the midfielder edges closer to an exit from Old Trafford.

Eriksen, 31, has been in and out of Erik ten Hag’s side and has spent the last three fixtures on the United bench. Several factors have led to this lack of playing time, such as a knee injury, and the Danish International is unfortunate that the midfield department is overflowing with talent at the club.

The breakthrough of the young star that is Kobbie Mainoo, the ever presence of Casemiro when he is fit, and the undroppable nature of Bruno Fernandes means that there’s very little room for Eriksen in the starting XI. Couple this with the almost guarantee of a goal off the bench from Scott McTominay, United’s No. 14 has been watching from the sidelines.

Read More: Alejandro Garnacho’s ‘future Man Utd captain’ prediction widely agreed after heartwarming moment

The Dane has played 63 times since joining The Reds in 2022 as a free agent following an incredibly successful six-month spell at fellow Premier League side Brentford.

Now the club and player alike are looking for greener pastures and The Bees boss Thomas Frank has said he’s open to Eriksen’s return. Turkish giants, Galatasaray tried a last-ditch move for the midfield maestro last week, although nothing materialised.

Ex-United defender Paul Parker has given his opinion on Eriksen’s future, and the 59-year-old would love a fairytale ending to such an illustrious career.

“I think it would be really charming if Eriksen went back home to Denmark. It would be a beautiful ending to a great career. It would add an extra spice to the romantic story of Eriksen if he went back home to Odense Boldklub,” Parker told Tipsbladet.

“I believe he’s very loyal. I think he would play for his childhood club if he returned home. I can see they haven’t been doing well lately, and when you tell me they’re no longer one of the best teams in the league, it might make sense that he’s not returning home yet!”

Odense Boldklub currently sit 9th in the Superliga with 17 points after the same amount of games and are well adrift of the Danish household names Copenhagen, Brøndby IF and FC Midtjylland, who are third, second and first, respectively.

Parker goes on to say: “He’s a great legend, and he felt a lot of love from his country during the EUROs when he collapsed. He’s someone people will always talk about – just like Schmeichel and Laudrup!

“He can easily play in the Premier League, and I also imagine Ajax could still use him. He has many options, I believe, but it would be touching if he returned home to Odense Boldklub.” 

Still only 31 years old, Eriksen probably feels like he’s got a lot more left in the tank, and although a return to his home country would be a nice final chapter, perhaps there are some more pages to be written in his career elsewhere in Europe beforehand.