Christian Eriksen recently expressed dissatisfaction over his reduced playtime since Erik ten Hag took over as manager. The player moved to Manchester United last year without a transfer fee, following his contract completion with Brentford.
During Ten Hag’s inaugural season, Eriksen was instrumental, clocking in 44 matches across all events, scoring twice and assisting 10 times. His commendable performances were pivotal in Manchester United securing the League Cup, making it to the FA Cup finals, and clinching a spot in the top four.
Nonetheless, this season, Eriksen’s position seems precarious with the introduction of players like Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat. In recent times, he was restricted to the bench for three consecutive Premier League matches and only got to play the entirety of three out of his nine matches this season.
His chances of playing might further diminish, especially after Scott McTominay’s commendable performance against Brentford this past weekend.
McTominay’s last-minute double goals might ensure him more playtime in the upcoming matches.
During a candid interaction with Ekstra Bladet, a Danish publication, Eriksen shared insights into his current season’s challenges. “You might want to ask the manager for his opinion. Our defense has suffered due to injuries,” remarked Eriksen, as reported by the Daily Express.
“Though we’ve conceded more goals than we’d like, my health is in top condition, and I wish to be on the field for every match. If you’ve been keeping tabs on our games, you’d notice that the manager [Ten Hag] prefers a player with a different style than mine.”
It’s not often that a player openly admits to not aligning with the manager’s playing style. Eriksen’s remarks might indicate his consideration to depart from Manchester United in 2024.
Considering Eriksen’s capabilities, if he becomes available for a transfer, Premier League teams should definitely keep tabs. At 31, Eriksen’s proficiency in setting up opportunities for forwards remains unparalleled.
