Magnus Eikrem has always been a player that has interested me.
I’ve always recognised that he was a talented player even when some wrote him off as too small (he is currently around 5’9/5’10 with a little more growing to do) etc but he has really come into his own in the past year or so and now has a genuine chance to breakthrough from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reserve teams and become a star.
I first wrote this about him last November for Football Fancast and he has carried on on the same path impressing all those who watch him, finishing last season with 4 goals in 14 appearances as well as numerous assists despite his season being cut short by injury. Yet his performances were so impressive that it didn’t stop him still being nominated for reserve player of the year, an award he very well could have won had he remained fit.
This summer Eikrem was linked with a loan move away from the club, possibly to Rangers but according t his handler Jim Solbakken the fact we drew them in the Champions League is why the move didn’t materialise but this hasn’t slowed him down as an solid pre-season and good start to the season sees him again try to force his way into Sir Alex’s first team plans as he did last season when he won a spot in the Carling Cup team against Wolves.
In the reserve match against City last month he set up both of Macheda’s goals despite playing wide rather than his usual central role. His passing and vision have seen him likened to Scholes and it’s easy to see why as he is intelligent as well as technically gifted, passing the ball all over the field at will.
The cards have been stacked against Eikrem, born with a cleft palette and a problem with his nose that affected his breathing, diagnosed with diabetes as well as being deemed to frail yet he has overcome it all and now his football is doing all the talking, shouting down previous naysayers.
In an article on Tom Cleverley last week, Eikrem was the unnamed player I felt was too good for reserve football and whilst it looks like the 20 year old will remain the second string’s captain for another season, his performances could see him finally make his first team debut in the Carling Cup this season, something that would please a number of fans.
Honestly never seen the guy, but hopefully he gets a good amount of games . Now that I have PVR I should be able to catch the Carling and FA Cup games (seeing as they’re usually midweek and take place when I’m at work).
I might sound like a broken record, but there is no greater glory than winning with a team largely produced from your own ranks. As promising as Defour is (along with a host of players around the world) I’d prefer to have Eikrem play to his potential and forge legendary status.
these kids that united keep on buying needs competitive game time. i wish Defour joins Man United in January, he is just too humble and there is no reason why he cant perform in the Man United squad and bring the glorious time of wizardly Scholes. Please sign Defour
I think Eikrem is more like Scholes than Defour. Defour is a quality player but is a deeper lying cm like the Scholes of today rather than the Scholes of old.
I like Eikrem so I would prefer to see him do well.
I’ll look for some Eikrem vids Jonathan and put them in the vid section in the coming days
Thanks Chudi…it also looks like you need to run a full report on Defour similar to what you’d done with Ozil months ago.
So if Defour’s arrival wouldn’t stand in Eikrem’s way, wouldn’t it at least then for Anderson? In any case, whenever a new player wanted, you generally have to ask yourself which current player has to step aside.
His expertise at set pieces is another major plus point..
Haha I’m always 1 step ahead of the game, did one ages ago check the date mate:
http://thebusbyway.com/2010/03/26/scholes-replacement-steven-defour-sets-the-standard/
Didn’t go into massive detail but it’s a decent little look at him.
Indeed Rohit, I put that in the first piece from last Nov so didn’t want to look like I was rehashing an old story but his set pieces are a def positive.
Ha! To be fair, I didn’t find this blog till May. Maybe an updated look will be due if transfer rumours heat up near the next dealine.
Impressive stuff though for a guy whose only 22. Funny that he wasn’t given the start today.
Of all the reasons to bag a central midfielder, why would you say he was too short.
Modric, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, etc etc are all around or shorter than 5’9.
Jonathan here is the link to a couple of vids. Don’t really get to see the best of him just freekicks and goals
http://thebusbyway.com/2010/09/04/eikrem-videos/