Erik ten Hag has weighed in on the growing competition in Manchester United’s squad and how it impacts players’ game time.
The midfield is perhaps the most over-populated area of the Red Devils’ squad this term, with Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount being sought to bolster Ten Hag’s options over the summer. Last summer, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were acquired in the Dutchman’s first transfer window.
Eriksen is currently the out-of-favour option but is undoubtedly one of the most experienced. He opened up on the matter while on international duty, acknowledging that he perhaps didn’t fit into Ten Hag’s system anymore, saying the coach ‘plays with slightly different types [of player] than me’.
This season, the Dane has started four games in total; three in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.
Ten Hag on Eriksen
Ahead of tomorrow’s European group-stage clash vs Copenhagen, Ten Hag was asked about Eriksen’s minutes and why he has fallen in the pecking order.
“He takes part in every game. You see his importance when he is on the pitch he has a big influence on our team by creating. He is a great player, he is a brilliant player and is very important for our squad.” he said, as quoted by ManUtd.com.
“We have many good players. We don’t have a squad with 11. We have a squad where there is internal competition and in the back we have some struggle to line up. We don’t have so many numbers but in the midfield department there is huge competition internally in our squad.”
