Eriksen's heartbreak as he is forced to leave Manchester United! He believed he was better than Sheshko and was once promised he could stay

Manchester United striker Eriksen departed late in the summer window, initially on loan with an obligation to buy by Napoli. Provided the Serie A titleholders secure Champions League qualification this season, the 22-year-old Danish forward will make the move permanent and won’t return to Old Trafford. The "Freighter" may also be reluctant to come back, as his feelings have been wounded.

According to reports, Eriksen believes he outperforms the newcomer Sheshko, and that the club had assured him he would stay, only to renege on that promise. This is not unusual for Manchester United in recent years; De Gea also faced a similar situation where a contract renewal offer was withdrawn after being agreed upon.

Since his £72 million transfer to Old Trafford, Eriksen endured two tough seasons, especially last season with only four Premier League goals. Yet he remained eager to stay at Manchester United and fight for his place. However, after repeatedly being left out of matchday squads by coach Ruben Amorim, he reluctantly accepted that his Manchester United dream was over.

Still, Eriksen felt "heartbroken," convinced he was better than Sheshko. He once hoped to persuade Amorim to keep him through his training performances, as Manchester United had been his dream club since childhood.

But that hope was shattered—not only by Amorim but also by CEO Omar Beladad and sporting director Jason Wilcox. This is a Sir Jim Ratcliffe-style approach: if you’re not good enough, you leave.

According to "Jingji Net," this move showed that Ratcliffe, Beladad, Wilcox, and Amorim acted without sentiment. Amorim had already made plans during the preseason, and Eriksen began to be phased out after the Everton match. To the Manchester United board, Eriksen represents the past—a player brought in at an inflated price by previous management—while last summer’s signing, Zirkzee, was chosen to stay as he was a Ratcliffe team acquisition.

Insiders revealed that during the Chicago training camp, Eriksen was told in a meeting that the club intended to buy a new striker but did not mention selling him. At that time, United’s options were Sheshko or Watkins.

Eriksen already sensed a bleak future. While smiling for the cameras during a community event playing football with children, he appeared downcast away from the public eye. The next day against Bournemouth, Eriksen scored twice and proactively requested an interview in the mixed zone to express his desire to stay, but Amorim declined to comment: "I don’t know what will happen before the window closes."

Manchester United ultimately chose to sign 22-year-old Sheshko over 29-year-old Watkins, further reducing Eriksen’s chances of remaining. Ratcliffe’s preferred new No.9 in the summer was actually £30 million Liam Draper, but the English striker opted for Chelsea after United lost Champions League qualification due to their Europa League final defeat.

Later, Manchester United considered signing only an inexpensive backup striker, with candidates including Brighton’s Welbeck, a former United academy graduate. However, Ratcliffe only offered 35-year-old Welbeck a one-year contract with an option for another year, while Welbeck wanted two years, so no agreement was reached. United also explored Everton’s former player, Calvert-Lewin, but the 28-year-old striker demanded £100,000 per week, exceeding their budget; he eventually joined Leeds United.

In the end, Sheshko joined Manchester United. He is younger and costlier than Eriksen, making it impossible for the two to coexist. At just 22, Eriksen had to end his Red Devils dream, which deeply saddened him. Now, he can only hope to revive his career in Serie A under Antonio Conte’s guidance.

McTominay, who was named Serie A Player of the Season and shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, serves as a role model for Eriksen. Coach Conte is keen to have Eriksen replace the injured Lukaku, and Napoli fans have warmly welcomed him, bringing a smile back to Eriksen’s face. One day, he may prove that leaving Manchester United is not the end of his career.