Christian Eriksen has told Erik ten Hag that he is frustrated to be stuck on the Manchester United bench.
Eriksen has played just 37 minutes of football in United’s past seven Premier League matches, with Kobbie Mainoo preferred in central midfield. The 32-year-old made a rare appearance off the bench in the 80th minute of the stunning 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Mainoo has established himself as Ten Hag’s first-choice to partner Casemiro at the base of midfield, with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes fielded further forward. Eriksen is not used to watching from the sidelines and has revealed his unhappiness after heading off on international duty with Denmark.
"I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it's not something that keeps me up at night,” he told Danish newspaper Tipsbladet. “The team is performing, and I must respect the role you have alongside. For my part, it has been about working hard and focusing on being fresh for every game, and I am. It is easier now to accept my role than it would have been before.
"I have had a conversation with Erik about being unhappy with the situation and wanting to play as much as possible, but I am available and need to be available for the team, which I am and always will be. He said it was the team he had chosen, and Kobbie is doing well and the rest of the midfield is also performing well, so there is competition for places, which is expected when playing for a top club. There is great competition within the team.
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"Of course, you can be concerned in the long run because I want to play as much as possible. Naturally, you don't want to always sit on the bench. I don't have that approach to it, but it's not something that worries me right now. Often when you change teams and win, you don't change the winning team, and I respect that."
Christian Eriksen has become a perennial unused substitute (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Christian Eriksen still be at Manchester United next season? Comment below.
Eriksen joined United in July 2022, having impressed with Brentford on his comeback after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. He has three goals and 12 assists in 65 appearances and is under contract until June 2025, but has become a peripheral figure since returning from a knee injury sustained in November.
With Mason Mount returning from a long-term injury lay-off in the Liverpool game, there will be more competition for places after the international break. United are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival prompting a rethink in the recruitment department.
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