Manchester United supporters are used to seeing frustrated players use the international break to air their grievances.
It became something of a tradition whenever the Old Trafford stars jetted out to represent their countries, either Paul Pogba or his late-agent Mino Raiola taking to the foreign press to air their Red Devils grievances.
So when Christian Eriksen spoke to the Danish media, just days after Manchester United’s dramatic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool, the quotes which hit the headlines may have sparked a wave of deja vu.
Eriksen is ‘dissatisfied’ with his playing time – or a lack thereof – under Erik ten Hag. That appearance off the bench against Liverpool was only his third in 2024, with only one start since Jools Holland’s latest Hootenanny hit the screens.
Manchester United exit looms for Christian Eriksen
In truth, the response to Eriksen’s eye-opening Tipsbladet interview has been a little overblown. This was not a player angling for a move, or publicly lambasting his manager. Eriksen can understand why Ten Hag is reluctant to alter a side who have won nine out of 12 since the turn of the year, especially given that it is Kobbie Mainoo – a ‘generational’ talent – keeping the veteran Dane out of the starting XI.
But still, with his contract running down and with United eyeing potential replacements, it’s tempting to wonder if Eriksen’s new-found benchwarming role is laying the groundwork for an Old Trafford exit.
Denmark team-mate Rasmus Hojlund has done his fair share of thumb-twiddling on the sidelines too. So he can understand Eriksen’s frustrations.
“I myself have sat on the bench for FC Copenhagen, so I know what that means,” Hojlund tells TV2. “But he holds his head high and he is a class player. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
“There is no concern at all from me about it. Of course, you want to play football. And I’m sure he does too. (But) he trains well and is still very positive and very helpful, so it’s not a big deal.
“(Eriksen is) a real professional.”
Only three appearances in 2024
While much has been made of the 32-year-old‘s lack of legs these days – many a game and plenty of opposition midfielders passing him by – Eriksen’s impact off the bench against Liverpool was a reminder of how much technical quality he still possesses.
It was Eriksen’s sumptuous pass which created the chance Marcus Rashford squandered with the final kick of normal time.
“It was good he got some minutes against Liverpool,” Hojlund adds. “I think he did really well when he came on. He is a good player, so you would like to see him on the field, but we have many good players.
“So it must be the coach’s decision whether he should play or not.”
Both Eriksen and Hojlund could start when Denmark host Switzerland in Copenhagen in Saturday’s friendly.