Christian Eriksen could play key role in Manchester United summer transfer pursuit

The club season might have finally come to an end, but the truth is that it hasn’t really stopped.

Manchester United will already be back in pre-season training in just a month’s time, and before that, many players will also be involved in the latest batch of international fixtures.

It remains to be seen how Erik ten Hag will use his squad over those first weeks of the summer, with United set to play their first friendly fixture against Leeds in less than a month’s time.

A number of players involved in the upcoming international matches could be given an extended summer break before they are recalled to Carrington, but even now there is no time to rest with the transfer window about to officially open.

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United figures will be keeping a close eye on what happens over the coming days, not only with regard to their current players but also those who could be joining them in training next month.

There will be particular interest in Copenhagen this Friday night when Denmark hosts Northern Ireland in their third European Championship qualifier.

Christian Eriksen will return to the national side after missing their first two matches through injury, and he will be joined by the man who made all the headlines during his absence.

Rasmus Hojlund is a target for United, and it was his five goals in two matches during the last international break that put his name on the radar as one to watch this summer.

The 20-year-old netted an impressive hat-trick against Finland in their first qualifier and then bagged a brace against Kazakhstan before his side collapsed to a dramatic defeat.

An appearance this week would be just the third time Eriksen and Hojlund have played in the national side together, with the Atalanta striker having twice played half an hour from the bench when the United midfielder has already been on the pitch.

There will be plenty of United interest in his performances over the next seven days, and no doubt plenty of questions will be asked about his future and the possibility of a move to Old Trafford.

Hojlund is a self-confessed boyhood United fan who grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo. It is easy to see why he is viewed as an attainable option by the club, though there are still some doubts about his suitability for the Premier League at such a young age.

United will do thorough checks on the player and his personality ahead of any summer move, with Ten Hag eager to add people with the right attitude and mindset to his first-team squad.

A key part of that could be Eriksen’s own first-hand experience with the player and how he feels the youngster would fit in among the current group of players.

It could also be a chance for Hojlund to gather further insight about his prospective club and get detailed information about what it is like to play under Ten Hag.

The Manchester Evening News previously revealed how Declan Rice used an international break to quiz England teammates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw about different aspects of United.

Eriksen could therefore have a key role to play in any move for Hojlund this summer, with his insight potentially influencing any decision to join the club.

It could be his most important assist yet.

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