Eriksen expects to leave United and PL in summer

Christian Eriksen expects to leave Manchester United when his contract expires in the summer.

The 33-year-old Denmark midfielder joined United on a free transfer in July 2022 after a short spell at Brentford, having returned to football following a cardiac arrest suffered during Euro 2020 the previous summer.

Having not heard anything over a possible contract extension with United, Eriksen – who had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted – feels his time at Old Trafford is coming to an end.

Eriksen – who also had spells at Ajax, Tottenham and Inter Milan – will not make any quick decisions on his next move.

"I haven't heard anything from the club, and therefore I assume that the collaboration will stop, that’s how I interpret it," Eriksen told Danish media ahead of the Nations League quarter-final against Portugal.

"My contract expires this summer and I am prepared to find something new. I am fine with that. Where it will be, I haven’t decided yet.

"I haven’t tried to be free of contract except after the cardiac arrest, but that was a bit of a different situation.

"I am waiting and seeing what offers come in. I am not going to make any hasty decisions, but if the right thing comes, I will take it – but I don’t know what the right thing is."

Spurs had been interested in bringing Eriksen back to the club before he signed for United under then manager Erik ten Hag.

However, he sees his future away from the Premier League.

"The intention is not to stay in England," said Eriksen, who had been released by Inter because of Serie A rules over players fitted with an ICD.

"I am not going to the USA, we are not going that far. We would like to stay in Europe, but it is too early to go home to Denmark. I feel like I have some good years abroad left."

Manchester United fans protested against the clubs ownership and ticket prices last week

Meanwhile, Manchester United fan group The 1958 has branded large ticket price increases for some senior supporters "a total disgrace".

United revealed on Monday that season ticket prices will rise by 5% for the third successive year amid ongoing efforts to balance the books.

While the cost for under-16s will be frozen, the applicable 'senior' discount will now track the UK state pension age of 66 and will be an across-the-board 25%, meaning a big hike for some fans who had been receiving their tickets at half price.

Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) criticised the changes on Monday and The 1958 has now followed suit, saying in a statement: "The fact the ticket prices were not frozen and the club did not follow the precedent set by other Premier League clubs is really disappointing. Especially after serving up one of the worst teams in decades."

The group highlighted the changes for older fans, a 15% increase in car park charges and the introduction of different pricing structures depending on the profile of matches, calling them "stealth rises".

"This is the first phase of reducing the amount of season ticket holders," continued The 1958 statement.

"We have always campaigned (that) the club are trying to marginalise match-going fans. Cutting the 50% OAP concession to 25% for those who had it is a total disgrace.

"This also paves the way for there never being any new season tickets issued now. Why would they do this if they are increasing non-season ticket prices by more? It is also a stay of execution to put them up to whatever they want to if we ever move to a new stadium.

"We want a custodian of the club that puts fans first, cares about this once great institution. Instead, we have a club that is crumbling beneath our feet and we are expected to foot the bill for 20 years of Glazer decay and damage."

MUST estimates around 7,000 senior fans are affected by the policy change and is calling on United to reconsider.

"We are seeking urgent discussions with the club to discuss the implementation of this big change and urge them to phase the reduction in the OAP discount in over more than one season to mitigate the sudden impact on some of our most loyal supporters," a spokesman said.

There have been a number of protests by United fans in recent months about increased costs to fans and the running of the club.

In announcing the ticket price news, chief executive Omar Berrada accepted the move would be unpopular, but said: "The club has decided it would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues."

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