Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has said he has to trust Christian Eriksen “like his dog”, amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
The playmaker is stalling on a new deal with Spurs, despite the club being willing to offer him around £200,000 to £250,000-a-week.
On Tuesday, talkSPORT reported Los Blancos “made contact” with the Dane over a potential £100million move.
It is understood Florentino Perez is looking to make a major summer signing, and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is another option he could turn to.
“Christian is a very special person and you need to give him freedom, like on the pitch,” Pochettino, who regularly waxes lyrical about his Rhodesian Ridgeback, said.
“You cannot put him in a box. You need to give freedom and trust him. Like my dog, in the park. I trust my dog. I say, ‘Go, I trust you’.
“And Christian is a very clever person and of course there’s going to be a decision from him, from the club, from different parts and I hope he can be committed to the club long-term. We hope that he can be here for a long time. I think Christian is a fantastic player.
“I was in Copenhagen in the summer. I spent time with Jesus (Perez), my wife and Christian – very nice restaurant. We all hope that Christian will agree with the club a long-term contract because he’s a great player.
“But like I explained a few weeks ago, in football it’s about timings, negotiations, different parties and how they feel. Of course, it’s his right to wait, to sign this week or in six months, to have different dreams and challenges.
“For me, it’s not a point to discuss. He’s committed to us, he’s playing so well. I’m so happy with him.”
Pochettino and Spurs face Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s high-flying United on Sunday.
The two teams go into the match on good form, with both side’s winning four of their last five league outings.
You can listen to all the action on talkSPORT.
