CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has lost his place in the Man Utd starting XI – just days after appearing to make a shock dressing room admission.
The Danish midfielder, 32, made his fourth successive start for the Red Devils in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with FC Twente.
Eriksen netted in the first half, his third goal in four games across all competitions.
But he also committed a costly error, allowing the visitors back into the contest after being dispossessed in dangerous territory.
Eriksen has been sent back to the bench for today’s visit of Tottenham to Old Trafford.
Following the draw against Twente, the midfielder gave a divisive interview with TNT Sports.
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He suggested the Dutch side had “wanted it more” after staging the second-half comeback at Old Trafford.
Eriksen said: “I think we are mostly disappointed as a team.
“Obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough.
“Being said also in the changing room they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.
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“Everyone is looking at themselves, for most.
“Everyone is a professional footballer, they know what to do and know what can’t happen.
“In a game like today, obviously we don’t lose but it feels like a loss and that is something that at home against Twente can’t happen.”
The interview didn’t go down well with some sections of the Utd support.
One raged on X: “They’ve said in the changing room that FC Twente wanted it more? Not good. Not good at all.”
Another said: “How can you be saying this?”
United boss Erik ten Hag had been equally scathing of his players after they surrendered the lead in midweek.
But he refused to single out Eriksen for individual criticism.
He fumed: “I think every team has this in a season, when you play 60 games, sure there will be games where you are not happy with the performance, not happy when the opponent wants it more.
“The goal is a team [mistake], a player of Twente can dribble through the pitch without stopping. We can’t give a goal away like this.
“We have seen again that you have to keep going for the whole game.
“Once you go 1-0 up you have to keep going, go for the second. It’s the first game, it’s very important you get a win.”
Man Utd player ratings vs FC Twente
MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.
That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.
See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana – 6
Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.
Harry Maguire – 6
Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.
Amad Diallo – 6
His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.
Find out how the Man Utd subs rated here
Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes start together for the first time in midfield for the hosts.
Ten Hag is also without Harry Maguire, who picked up a knock in training this week.
Fans were quick to respond to the news that Eriksen was dropping back to the bench against Spurs.
One wrote on X: “Utd fans will always moan. You can only play 11, Eriksen has played 4 consecutive games.”
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Another argued: “Wants to control the game and drops Amad and Eriksen…”
While a third added: “One Eriksen mistake and he’s on the bench. Fernandes has been absolute rubbish for weeks and Eriksen can play in the Fernandes role also.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
