Christian Eriksen left Manchester United at the end of the season and is yet to find a new club, with his actions as a free agent being criticised by a former Denmark international
Christian Eriksen applauds fans
Christian Eriksen remains a free agent after leaving Manchester United
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has faced criticism for his decision to train with Malmo during his time as a free agent. After he was left out of the latest Denmark squad, Eriksen's motivation and ambition has been questioned by ex-Everton and Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen.
The 33-year-old left Old Trafford when his deal ran out at the end of last season. Having not yet secured a new club, Eriksen has been maintaining his match sharpness by training with Swedish outfit Malmo.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford playmaker remains without a team, despite being permitted to negotiate with potential suitors since nearing the end of his United deal in January. Eriksen was omitted from Denmark's World Cup qualifying matches against Scotland and Greece, having scored in summer friendlies versus Northern Ireland and Lithuania.
The midfielder is said to have rejected an opportunity to join Wrexham, while Burnley and various European clubs were claimed to have shown interest, as reported by the Mirror. Although the transfer window has closed, Eriksen remains able to sign for clubs on a free transfer.
However, Gravesen is far from impressed with Eriksen's current training arrangements. Despite Eriksen working with Malmo, any permanent switch appears unlikely given the club has already finalised their Europa League squad.
"It is incomprehensible to me that he chooses Malmo," Gravesen told Fotboll Skanalen recently. "It is not a club that he can go to because he cannot sign a contract with them and we have some clubs in Denmark that are much, much better than Malmo.
Christian Eriksen acknowledges Manchester United fans
Christian Eriksen made 107 appearances for Manchester United
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
"This looks like a friendly thing, where Christian Eriksen is over and having fun with some friends. Where is the ambition to play football?
"We talk about him being without a club for three months, but he has been without a club since January because he has been able to sign a contract with a new club ever since. He has been dragging his feet on it for a long time.
"If he wants to play for the national team, what signal does this send? What signal does going up and having fun with friends in Malmo send?
Christian Eriksen celebrates scoring for Denmark
Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark against Northern Ireland in June(Image: LISELOTTE SABROE/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
"I don't understand it. It seems frivolous in some ways. If he had ambitions, he would have gone to a higher-level club. For me, it is not ambitious enough to go to Malmo and have fun. Who sees him there?"
Eriksen spent three years at United, arriving as a free agent following his successful short stint at Brentford. The midfielder won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup under Erik ten Hag.
He made 35 appearances across all competitions last term, contributing five goals and six assists. Eriksen was an unused substitute as United lost the Europa League final to his former side Spurs in May.
At international level, Eriksen has earned 144 caps for Denmark, representing his country at six major tournaments. He will hope to regain his place in the squad for his country's next set of World Cup qualifiers.