‘The main reason…’: Ten Hag explains why one player is being kept out of the team by younger counterpart

Erik ten Hag was pressed on Christian Eriksen’s continued absence from the Manchester United starting 11 after he played such an integral role last season.

The experienced Dane was one of Ten Hag’s first-ever signings at Old Trafford, arriving as a free agent from Brentford in July 2022.

He was a mainstay in the squad across his maiden campaign, forming one half of a formidable partnership with fellow new arrival Casemiro in the middle of the park. Eriksen’s creativity along with the Brazilian’s gritty performances complimented each other superbly.

A serious ankle injury led to Eriksen being unavailable from the end of January through to April, although he still managed to tally a total of 37 starts in all competitions by the end of the term.

The situation then changed significantly in 2023/2024. The arrivals of Mason Mount and Sofyan Armrabat, as well as the prolific goalscoring form of Scott McTominay, led to the 32-year-old dropping considerably in the pecking order. However, it’s actually the emergence of 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo that’s keeping all the aforementioned midfielders out of a starting role.

Eriksen has accumulated just 11 starts this campaign and in 10 of the past 11 Premier League matches, he has been an unused substitute.

No room for Eriksen amidst Mainoo’s emergence

“I think that is the main reason, yeah, Kobbie, his progress, we have there, an extra option,” Ten Hag said of the matter in today’s press conference, via the United app. “He was so important for us. He is playing in that six/eight role to bring creation to the team, [and] bring composure, in our possession game, to the team. I think that is the main reason why Christian has less minutes than last season.”