Manchester United star confirms he is leaving the club – as Red Devils reveal midfielder is one of three players going as a free agent after Aston Villa win
Manchester United have announced the departure of three players, following their 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on the final day of the season.
The Red Devils avoided double defeats this week after their Europa League agony against Tottenham, and earned their 11th victory in the Premier League this season to secure a 15th place finish.
Sunday capped off the club’s worst campaign in the re-branded top-flight by some margin.
Amid their historically poor season, the common narrative swirling around was that United’s players are not at the standard needed to reinstate them as Champions League hopefuls, let alone Premier League title-challengers, as was once the expectation at Old Trafford.
But it seems like United have taken the first steps to shipping away some of the so-called ‘dead wood’ in the club, after announcing the exits of three ageing stars.
Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen will all leave United at the end of the season, the latter of whom offered his adieus to the Old Trafford crowd on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen announced he will leave Manchester United after their 2-0 win vs Aston Villa
Defensive duo Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof will also leave United as free agents in summer
After their worst season in Premier League history, the Red Devils will aim for a squad overhaul
When asked if United’s game against Villa was his last for the club, Eriksen confirmed: ‘Yeah, that is correct. I think that’s also why Bruno [Fernandes] gave me a pen as a nice farewell.
Fernandes – United’s designated penalty taker – allowed his midfield counterpart to do the honours against Villa to put the Ruben Amorim’s men 2-0 up on the afternoon.
Eriksen explained that, despite United’s rough season, scoring in his final game was the perfect way to go out.
The former Tottenham maestro continued: ‘We did it today for the fans. We had a tough season but I’m going to wish them all the best. It’s an incredible stadium, an incredible club. I hope they’ll be back on top at some point for sure.
‘Yeah, I think [it was a perfect ending]. With the goal and the last half an hour in the stadium. It’s been an exciting last few years playing for this club but I’ve enjoyed it and I’m taking a lot of good memories with me.
‘What’s next? A personal holiday, relax, the national team, and we’ll see what the future holds. I’m still fit to play so we’ll see where.’
Eriksen joined United on a three-year deal from Brentford in 2022, suiting up 107 times for the club.
He scored eight goals and provided 18 assists in these games, and helped United to League Cup glory in 2023, then FA Cup success the year after.
Eriksen joined United as a free agent from Brentford in 2022 and played 107 matches for them
Jonny Evans enjoyed two stints at Old Trafford and made 240 appearances across both
Victor Lindelof joined United from Benfica for £30.7m in 2017 and suited up in red 284 times
Meanwhile, Evans enjoyed two stints at Old Trafford, making 198 appearances in his first – between 2006 and 2015 – and 42 since his return in 2023.
The centre back won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.
Lindelof joined United from Benfica for £30.7million in 2017, and made the most appearances of any of the three departing players.
The Swede played 284 games for the club, winning a League Cup and an FA Cup.
