‘I know’ – snubbed Man United star hits back at critics and says he deserves his spot

Christian Eriksen suffered a difficult end to the season with Manchester United , but insists critics questioning his value are overlooking the experience he brings. Eriksen has joined up with the Denmark national side for Euro 2024. The 31-year-old remains a key part of manager Kasper Hjulmand plans despite limited game time for United in the season just ended.

The playmaker had been a vital cog for Erik ten Hag in his first season at the club, but played just 28 times, scoring once and creating only three goals in the 2023/24 campaign as he was often left on the bench. And while he finished the season on a high, in the squad that lifted the FA Cup , he had started just three games out of the last 17 for United.

It has led to some critics – particularly former Everton and Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen – questioning Eriksen’s place in the Denmark squad given his lack of minutes at club level. Gravesen has been vocal in his opinion about the midfielder in recent times, and repeated his view this week with Denmark on the verge of their first game against Slovenia.

“Is [Christian Eriksen] at 80 percent? Or is he at 70 percent? Or 50? Or 20? We have no idea, because he doesn’t play, and that’s a problem,” said Gravesen. “Christian Eriksen at top level is an exceptional player, but where is he at the moment?”

However, the Man United midfielder hass defended his inclusion, and believes he still has what it takes to star for Denmark.

“I know that whether you play in the national team is often based on whether you play in the club. Of course, there are expectations, as we have also seen in the past. “The goal is of course that you have to be really good in the club team, and then you can also perform in the national team, but now, as I said, I have been in the national team for many, many years, so I know what it is all about when you meet here.”

Denmark assistant manager Morten Wieghorst also sprung to the defence of Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest three years ago this week in his last appearance at the European Championships.

“Eriksen is still a fantastic player and he has the experience,” he added. “We have to remember that going into the Euros and finals in general, having players that have been there before and done it and tried everything is so important.”