Alongside Bruno Fernandes, the Dane was the mastermind in midfield, and Manchester United is worth its weight in gold for his inventiveness.
Eriksen provides a reassuring level of control in the middle of the park and sees passes that Sabitzer, Scott McTominay, and Fred cannot.
Although he has Fernandes’ final pass, he is also at ease receiving passes in deeper parts of the field when the opposition is eager to press.
It’s no accident that United had long stretches of dominance at the City Ground despite the occasional lapse in concentration at the back; Eriksen’s contribution was crucial.
His acquisition for free somehow makes his performance all the more impressive. Following the playmaker’s remarkable return to football with Brentford, the circumstances that defined the deal were obviously far from ideal, but United have struck gold.
At Nottingham Forest, Christian Eriksen was the man in charge for Manchester United. (Photo: Getty)
A £50 million midfielder was acquired for nothing more than his salary, and this season, he has really helped lift United to a new level.
When he seizes control of the ball and moves it around the field, he is such a graceful operator and is frequently enjoyable to watch.
Although McTominay and Fred have stepped up to deliver some respectable performances in Eriksen’s absence, there is something aesthetically pleasing about the way he moves the ball around the field with such enthusiasm.
He rarely seeks out the easy pass and is always willing to unlock the door, which relieved a lot of United’s pressure as Forest tried to track down the visitors.
United started playing in a number of chaotic games during Eriksen’s absence, including the 2-2 draws with Leeds and Barcelona as well as the 3-1 victories over Fulham.
On a day when the Red Devils sorely needed some poise and skill on the ball, he was also absent from United’s 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool.
The least his performance deserved was the thunderous cheers Eriksen received as he left the field in the 79th minute to make room for Fred.
His sublime story is truly remarkable, and it is amazing to think that he is still performing at this level.
As United continues to compete for a top-four finish, an FA Cup and Europa League winners medal, the Danish international will be essential to what United can accomplish in the remaining weeks of the season.
While Raphael Varane’s most recent fitness problem and Lisandro Martinez’s season-ending injury both occur at unfortunate times, Eriksen’s return is cause for joy.
He is a fantasy for United’s forwards because, like Fernandes, he has the talent and demeanor to identify their attackers fairly quickly.
He has the vision to spot them if they make runs, putting the team in a strong position. He must unquestionably go down as one of United’s best acquisitions during the Glazers’ era.
