Departing Eriksen expects 'very different' Man United next season

Christian Eriksen says Manchester United were fortunate to have retained the support of fans who could have caused "chaos" during the club's worst season in 51 years.

United finished a lowly 15th in the Premier League table - their worst placing since being relegated from the old First Division in 1974.

But Denmark midfielder Eriksen, who is leaving Old Trafford, believes better days are ahead for United, with manager Ruben Amorim set to create "a very different team next season."

United ended the season with a 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday - just four days after they blew a chance at silverware and Champions League qualification by losing the Europa League final to fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham.

"I think you've seen progress - of course the results haven't really shown that," Eriksen told the PA news agency. "One hundred percent the results haven't shown that.

"I think the football we came from (Erik) ten Hag to this is obviously going to take time to adapt, and obviously it's been far below the standard of the club and the players here.

"I think the players individually are very, very good players, and they should never be where we are in the table. 

"It's up to them to turn around but, yeah, I'm confident they'll be a very different team next season, I'm sure."

Yet, United supporters did not turn on their team, with Eriksen adding: "Obviously, at home has been, even in the stadium, there's been games where it's been not good enough, but they've really been supportive and away especially they've been even more on their toes and even in the worst times."

Eriksen's three-season stay at Old Trafford is now at an end, with the 33-year-old scoring a penalty on his final United appearance after it seemed his football career was over when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match between Denmark and Finland in 2021.

"I've really enjoyed my time (at United)," said Eriksen. "It's a club I've always looked up to - the club size and everything around it.

"I've loved the pressure, loved the style of play with the different managers and the people at the club.

"They've taken really good care of me and my family, so in that sense I've had three very, very good years.

"Obviously it's been a lot of ups and downs in football, but I think in general I've had a special time."