Image Credits: Getty Images
With Manchester United making several new signings this summer, some existing Red Devils are likely to fall down the pecking order.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dan Ashworth shortlisted several players they wanted to offload this summer, with a number still at the club due to lack of interest from other parties. These have included Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Cristian Eriksen, Casemiro and Antony.
With Lisandro Martinez being a firm favourite of Erik ten Hag, there’s only one other centre-back space to compete for. Now, with the signing of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, Maguire and Lindelöf have even more competition for a space in the squad.
In midfield, the signing of Manuel Ugarte to partner Kobbie Mainoo has provided more of a battle for both Casemiro and Eriksen, with it looking more likely for the pair to be fighting for a place on the bench rather than in the starting line-up.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTRE DEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Oddly, Antony is the only one of the five not to face further competition from new signings, and if anything, he now has less pressure thanks to the deal which saw Jadon Sancho move to Chelsea.
However, one of the five has now spoken out about wanting more minutes at Old Trafford.
Christian Eriksen wants more game time
Last night saw Eriksen take to the pitch with the Danish national team to take on Switzerland in the opening game of the UEFA Nations League with both countries in Group 4 of League A.
Denmark managed to come off the victors with a 2-0 win which saw two Switzerland stars, Granit Xhaka and Nico Elvedi, sent off, taking the Swiss down to nine men. Eriksen started the match for the Danes and had a strong showing before being taken off in the 62-second minute, replaced by Mikkel Damsgaard.
After the match, the United man spoke with TipsBladet, discussing his desire to play more minutes. Addressing this conversation, Eriksen said: “I want to play more! I want to play something more.”
The midfielder also went on to discuss his form and his performance in the game, saying: “I just think that the last thing is missing. I think there were a couple of times where I could have done a little better in one way or another. But the body is fine, and there are no flaws.”
Eriksen’s desire to play more minutes is an echo of a warning that was given by the interim coach for Denmark, Lars Knudsen. The national team coach recently said that whilst Eriksen can still contribute well to the team, as seen in the recent Euros, he needs more game time to keep his spot in the squad, whether that be at United or a new club.
Speaking to Bold about the midfielder’s lack of club football, Knudsen said: “It is clear that his current situation is unsustainable in the long run. I hope Christian will play football. Whether it’s at Manchester United or somewhere else, time will tell, the fact is that he has to play more.”
Eriksen was recently offered to his former club Ajax at the end of the transfer window, however, this was shot down by Eriksen’s agent and Ajax with the Eredivisie side unable to create enough space in the squad for the Dane, and the midfielder not wanting to leave Old Trafford in the first place.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTRE DEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
