Christian Eriksen’s playing time has been significantly reduced this year, with just four starts in all competitions.
He has mostly taken on the role of an impact substitute, making his presence felt off the bench. In a recent game against Kobenhavn, Eriksen came on as a substitute and provided the decisive assist for Harry Maguire’s winning goal, prompting manager Erik ten Hag to acknowledge Eriksen’s role in the victory.
Eriksen has maintained that his top priority is the success of the team, but he did express his disappointment with his limited playing time this year. He mentioned that the decision to start him on the bench is beyond his control, and he would prefer to be on the pitch as much as possible.
Despite his reduced role, he recognizes that winning matches like the one against Kobenhavn makes the situation more bearable.
These comments from Eriksen come after he acknowledged that Ten Hag appears to prefer a different type of midfielder during the recent international break.
He suggested that the coach’s decisions are influenced by various factors, including injuries in the defense. Eriksen emphasized his desire to play in every game but noted that Ten Hag has opted for players with slightly different playing styles.
Last season, Eriksen was a regular starter under Ten Hag, featuring in 25 out of the 29 Premier League games for which he was available.
The summer signings of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat have intensified the competition for playing time at Old Trafford.
It’s worth mentioning that Eriksen remains under contract with Manchester United until 2025, indicating that he remains a part of the club’s long-term plans.
