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Christian Eriksen confirms Erik ten Hag talks over "unhappy" Manchester United situation

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 19 March 2024

Christian Eriksen admits he is "not satisfied" and is "unhappy" with his current game time under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Christian Eriksen has informed Erik ten Hag that he is "unhappy" with his current game time at Manchester United.

The 32-year-old made 44 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions last season, chipping in with two goals and 10 assists, but he has since fallen down the pecking order this term.

Indeed, Eriksen has started only 11 of his 21 games in 2023-24, completing the full 90 minutes on just four occasions, and he was most recently used as a substitute in United's epic 4-3 extra-time win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend.

Injuries and the emergence of rising star Kobbie Mainoo, who has regularly started alongside Casemiro in centre-midfield, have ultimately contributed to Eriksen's lack of regular first-team football.

The Denmark international has acknowledged the form of those around him in the midfield department, but he is still "not satisfied" with his current situation at the club and has made it known to Ten Hag.

Manchester United's Christian Eriksen during the warm up before the match on December 30, 2023 © Reuters

"I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it's not something that keeps me up at night," Eriksen 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.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen during training on March 19, 2024 © Reuters

"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."

Eriksen faces the prospect of being pushed further down the pecking order now that Mason Mount has recovered from a long-term calf injury, with Ten Hag recently stating that the Englishman can become a "key player" in his first-team plans.

Man United's No.14 is hoping to impress during this month's international break with Denmark, with the playmaker pushing to feature in friendly fixtures against Switzerland and the Faroe Islands.

Eriksen, who joined the Red Devils from Brentford on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, is due to see his contract at Old Trafford expire in June 2025.