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Christian Eriksen injury update promising for Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has revealed that influential midfielder Christian Eriksen is nearing a comeback from injury.
The Danish international has been sidelined since January after being tackled by Andy Carroll during United’s FA Cup victory against Reading at Old Trafford.
Eriksen was previously expected to be sidelined until the end of April, potentially into May, but has recently shared positive anecdotes on social media about his progress in rehabbing the injury.
Although the 31-year-old is unlikely to face his old team Brentford on Wednesday, Ten Hag acknowledged in his news conference before the game that Eriksen is back in full squad training and will soon return to offer some much-needed talent in the midfield.
“Not for tomorrow but he’s returning on the pitch. He’s returned to team training today, so we have to see now how quickly he can make the progress,” the Dutchman said.
“Two quality players,” he continued when asked about Eriksen’s return coinciding with Casemiro’s four-match suspension ending. “The midfield department, games will be decided always in midfield, when you miss two quality players it’s clear. “But you have a squad, if you don’t have them you still have to win.”
In recent away losses, United has missed Eriksen’s passing skills, frequently failing to maintain possession in the centre of the field.
Particularly against Newcastle, Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay were outplayed and outrun, and it was clear that United’s back four were not being adequately protected without Casemiro.
Eriksen’s return may be welcomed by Ten Hag for Saturday’s home game against struggling Everton, but his performance against Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal may be more important.
Along with games against Nottingham Forest, Brighton, in the FA Cup semifinal, Tottenham, and Aston Villa before the end of April, there will be the second leg against the Spanish powerhouses a week later.