Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media ahead of his side’s second leg Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest tomorrow night at Old Trafford and he said that he was “disappointed” at losing one of his influential midfielders for a period of time.
This morning, Manchester United confirmed the news that Christian Eriksen is “expected to be out of action for an extended period because of an ankle injury” [Man Utd]. The club said that the Dane will possibly be out until “late April or early May” [via Man Utd] in what will be a significant blow for ten Hag as the Denmark international has been an important player for United, racking up 31 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing 7 assists for his team-mates [Transfermarkt].
Speedy recovery, @ChrisEriksen8 🙏#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2023
The news about the Denmark international dominated the news conference and the United manager addressed the sad news that Eriksen will be out for three months.
“Of course, he is disappointed about it, we are disappointed about it,” he said. “It happens in top football, you have to deal with it” [via Man Utd].
Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear❤️🤲🏼 pic.twitter.com/HFPVP0WAF1
— zidane iqbal (@z10ane) December 8, 2022
Ten Hag was asked how United can fill the gap, but the manager said that securing a transfer on deadline day, is difficult, nevertheless, he told reporters that he feels confident that United have players who can cover Eriksen’s absence.
“So, it doesn’t mean that you have to be less successful but it’s quite clear that Christian Eriksen, for our squad, brings top quality and he has some specifics that are hard to replace. For instance, his impact in the final third, [with his] final ball” [via Man Utd].
One player who can fill the gap is Fred, who has partnered Casemiro for Brazil in the national team and ten Hag was asked if the pair can reproduce their partnership with United.
Job done. We are United. Thanks God! 💥 pic.twitter.com/jcaazThmqV
— Fred Rodrigues (@Fred08oficial) January 28, 2023
“You mentioned already in your first sentence, he’s playing together with Casemiro in the Brazilian squad, I would say that’s not the worse squad in the world,” said the United manager.
“They have so many choices what they can make but they often prefer to play them together. So, that tells something about the quality Fred has and what he can contribute to the team.
“He has done it several times with his performance for instance against Tottenham Hotspur, for instance against Manchester City. When he’s coming on [in the] last game [against Reading], he’s scoring a goal straight away. He has a lot of qualities. I think they are a really good combination, Casemiro and Fred” [via Man Utd]
In the last 10 minutes or so, Jason Burt of The Telegraph has reported that United will try and sign a midfielder on loan before the window slams shut, but so far the Reds have been frustrated in their attempts to do so, having contacted several top European clubs, such as Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid [The Telegraph].
United will be looking to get the job done and book their spot at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final when they take on Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford as they are already 3-0 up from the first leg at the City Ground.
