Is Ten Hag surprised by Eriksen's impact?

Tuesday 18 October 2022 16:31

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag states he has not been surprised by the impact that Christian Eriksen has made since joining the club in the summer.

The Danish international was signed on a free transfer in late July and his technical abilities have so far been utilised in a number of different positions. Most recently, he has settled into a deep-lying midfield role and his visionary passing has provided a whole new dimension to our play. 

Eriksen has played in 12 of United’s 13 fixtures across all competitions, but he was unfortunately absent from our last match against Newcastle due to illness and the playmaker was missed as the Reds tried to break down a stubborn Magpies defence. 

It remains to be seen whether Christian will be available to face his former club Tottenham Hotspur at the Theatre of Dreams on Wednesday evening, but the manager is hopeful that he will be. 
Part one: Ten Hag's Tottenham press conference Video

Part one: Ten Hag's Tottenham press conference

Press conference | Watch part one of the manager's media briefing, previewing the big game against Tottenham...

During a press conference to preview the 20:15 BST kick-off, which is live on Amazon Prime Video, Ten Hag was asked by one journalist if he has been surprised by the talismanic impact that Eriksen has had at United to date. 

“No,” said Erik. “I know him for a long time because everyone knows he can develop in Ajax, so I knew him from the Netherlands but also when we faced him. As a manager we faced him, so I know his capabilities and I was so happy that we could sign him. I think he proved from the first day how important his is to our game.”
Many observers felt Eriksen’s creativity was required in Sunday’s frustrating goalless draw with Newcastle and his absence only underlined just how important he has become to the team. 

Speaking in the MUTV studio on Wednesday, former United hero Lee Martin emphasised the integral role that Christian has. “Absolutely, we know how important he has become, we know what he can do, he is great on the ball and he gives you so many options,” said the ex-Red.
“He can feed balls through to the strikers, he can put balls over the top, and we just don't seem to have that when he is not in the team. Casemiro is great on the ball and sits in front of the back four, and we've got Fred and McTominay, who are good players, but they can't unlock defences like Eriksen can. He is a big loss and the sooner he gets back, the better.”

Find out if Eriksen is fit when the line-ups are announced at 19:15 BST on Wednesday. 

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