England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo says the “great journey” Denmark and Manchester United team-mate Christian Eriksen has been on is “amazing”, as the two nations prepare to meet in Group C on Thursday.
Eriksen scored the opening goal in Denmark’s first game of Euro 2024 against Slovenia – exactly 1,100 days after he had a cardiac arrest on the pitch in their opening match of the 2021 Euros.
The 32-year-old midfielder was later fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), which has allowed him to continue his career in the Premier League.
“I have learned a lot from him, watching him last season when I wasn’t playing as much, trying to learn and pick up from his game as well,” said Mainoo.
“The great journey he has been on since the last Euros is amazing. To be around him so close, he’s such a great player.
“If I’m to play on Thursday I’ll have to put that to the side to compete against him and hopefully get the win.”
Rasmus Hojlund, another of Mainoo’s United team-mates, is also in the Denmark side, but the 19-year-old midfielder says the two have not spoken about the match.
“I’ve not spoken to him recently, but I’ll probably leave that for after the game,” he added.
“I haven’t played against him before. He’s a really good friend, it’s good to have those relationships on the pitch and you build them off the pitch and around the training ground.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be staying at the club despite speculation around his future, and Mainoo says he owes a lot to the Dutchman, who gave him his Premier League debut and coached him through a breakthrough season which culminated in making the England squad.
“Happy to be building with him – got two trophies, hopefully there’s more to come,” added the teenager.
“It’s nice to have that peace of mind to know what manager we have when we go back in pre-season. I’m so grateful for him that he put so much trust and belief in me to play in the team.
“I can’t thank him enough.”