ERIKSEN’S ALL YOURS, ERIK

United lead the chase to sign Christian as Tottenham back off

MANCHESTER UNITED are in pole position to sign Christian Eriksen after Tottenham backed away from re-signing him.

The midfielder made a successful comeback with Brentford last season following his cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020.

He is available on a free transfer but Spurs have not been involved in any serious discussions to bring him back to north London and that has paved the way for

United to become big favourites to land him. Eriksen

PATRICE EVRA revealed his heart is “hurt” by Antonio Conte’s impact at Tottenham – because he should have been in charge at Manchester United.

Five-time Premier League winner Evra (above), who also lifted three League Cups and a Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, played under Conte at Juventus.

And he believes the serial title winner is on course to finally turn Spurs into a Premier League superpower.

“It hurts my heart,” said Evra. “Because I think Conte, Klopp, Guardiola – all those managers are the best in the world right now and we could have had him at Manchester United.

“But some people at the club, they said, ‘It’s not our style, it’s not what we’re looking for.’

“So let’s see, now we have Erik ten Hag (above). He has my support. But then, even if you brought a chef in as the manager of United, he’d have my full support.”

Conte was snubbed by United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked last November.

Club chiefs insisted he was not a good fit and opted instead for interim boss Ralf Rangnick. who failed to get United a top-four spot,

Conte galvanised an underachieving Spurs into a side

consistent enough to clinch a place in the Champions League.

The north Londoners have been so impressed they have made an extra £150million available for the man who also led Chelsea and Inter Milan to title success.

Conte has set about ripping up the current Spurs side, landing £25m midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Croatia star Ivan Perisic and keeper Fraser Forster, who have joined on free transfers from Inter Milan and

Southampton respectively. The Italian’s aim is to launch a title challenge next season.

And Evra – whose love for United is well documented in his book, ‘I Love The Game’ – added: “It’s is a massive disappointment because he could have done something at United.

“And you can see with Tottenham, he helped them to qualify for the Champions League spot.

“They have the same players, so that’s why this manager is a genius. When I arrived at Juventus, every player told me, ‘Patrice, this guy is a genius.’

“He’s addicted, he’s so passionate about football. So you’re going to run really hard. He’s going to make you sweat.

“But if you look at the Tottenham fans, they are so happy because when they see the players now, win or they lose, they give everything.

“That’s why I say it hurts. Not because it’s Tottenham but because

Conte could have done something at United.”

‘ Ten Hag has my support. But then so would a chef in charge at United’