Christian Eriksen Hoping US Trip Brings Better Fortunes In 2024
Christian Eriksen expressed optimism that Manchester United’s summer tour in the United States will offer better preparation for the upcoming season, reflecting on how last year’s challenging tour may have had a hand in their poor Premier League performance.
In 2023, the tour included visits to New Jersey, San Diego, Houston, and Las Vegas. This year, the team has chosen a training camp at UCLA in California, with only three matches scheduled in Los Angeles, San Diego, and South Carolina.
Speaking from the team’s Californian base, Eriksen said “It’s different being at a base and travelling less to the games.”
“It’s also a sponsor trip at the same time as fitness, and the football was pushed a little bit backwards last season looking at it. I do think this year, the football has been pushed forward and the focus is on that.”
“[Last year] There were a lot of flights in between, there were a lot of short trips for one or two days in this city and then the next one.”
“It did feel like a lot of stuff was going on in a very short period. This is also going to be a lot of stuff, but it does feel different already. If we speak next year or in two weeks’ time maybe I can say it was better or worse, but it’s feeling better.”
Despite speculation about his future, the Dane, who had a strong showing at Euro 2024, hopes to remain at Old Trafford.
“I have one year left so for me I am a United player.”
“I haven’t been told leave or extension, so in that sense I have one year left on the contract and I feel good, my family is feeling good living in Manchester and United is a nice club.”
“In terms of the football you want to play as much as possible. But also you think in terms of: ‘How do I see myself? How do I fit into the team?’ And in those terms I feel good. I feel that I am in a good place,” he concluded.