The Danish midfielder has fallen down the pecking order (Picture: Getty Images)
Christian Eriksen says he is unhappy with his reduced role at Manchester United at present and has spoken to manager Erik ten Hag about the situation.
The Denmark international was regularly involved at the start of the season but has been an unused substitute in six of United’s last seven Premier League matches, with the team picking up five wins during that period to get back in contention for a place in the Champions League.
Casemiro has been preferred at the base of midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo or Scott McTominay partnering him, and Bruno Fernandes further ahead.
Eriksen still has one year left to run on his contract at Old Trafford and, despite being rather dissatisfied with his lack of pitch time recently, he understands Ten Hag’s decision and is relaxed about his situation.
Speaking to Tipsbladet while on international duty, Eriksen said: ‘I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it’s not something that keeps me up at night.
‘The team is performing, and you must respect the role you have alongside [the rest of the team].
‘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.
Eriksen in action against Liverpool at the weekend (Picture: Getty)
‘But I am available and need to be available for the team, which I am and always will be.’
On what was said in the conversation, Eriksen continued: ‘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.’
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Asked if he respects Ten Hag’s decision, Eriksen replied: ‘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 has one goal and one assist in 16 Premier League appearances this season, but he gave an influential cameo off the bench against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday as the Red Devils booked their place at Wembley.
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