“A concern…” – Manager sends Erik ten Hag message amid Man Utd midfielder’s playing time issue

Kasper Hjulmand, the manager of the men’s Danish team, has expressed his concern about Christian Eriksen’s lack of game time this season at Manchester United.

Eriksen, 32, was a key player for Erik ten Hag in the Dutchman’s debut season at the helm of United, however, the midfielder has found himself spending more time on the bench this year than on the pitch.

This is party due to injury as he has been sidelined for eight games with a knee problem, but is mainly because the club has become saturated in his position with the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, the goalscoring of Scott McTominay, the signings of Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount and the ever-presence of Casemiro.

As a result of this, Eriksen has gone from being a reliable choice, making 44 appearances and playing over 3000 minutes in the 22/23 season, to being overlooked as a substitute, playing 20 times so far and just over 1000 minutes of action in his boots.

This has fuelled speculation about his future at the club as an exit from Old Trafford seems to be looming. Brentford boss Thomas Frank is open to Eriksen’s return, but there have also been calls for the 32-year-old to return to his boyhood club in Denmark, Odense Boldklub.

United’s No. 14 lack of playing time could have a detrimental effect on his home country as his spot in the international team is under threat.

Eriksen is in the squad for the upcoming international break, where Denmark will face Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, however, if his formality with the United bench continues, his selection will no longer be a guarantee.

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand told Ekstra Bladet, relayed by Fotboll Skanalen, “It is a concern for me regarding the situation Christian has found himself in. It is absolutely not optimal. We really hope that changes this spring.

“It is a problem when you, as a player, are away from the team for an extended period. You lose match tempo, and it affects your physical form. Some things you can’t really train yourself to do.”