Christian Eriksen tells Erik ten Hag he is unhappy at Manchester United – and being kept out of the team by 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo

Christian Eriksen has spoken to Erik ten Hag to express his concerns over a lack of playing time at Manchester United this season.

The Denmark midfielder has made just 11 starts for United with a further 10 appearances coming off the bench. Eriksen was a 80th-minute substitute in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old former Tottenham and Inter Milan playmaker is one of the players most impacted by Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence at United, and revealed that he has spoken to manager Ten Hag about the situation.

‘I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it’s not something that keeps me up at night,’ said Eriksen.

‘I have had a conversation with Erik about being unhappy with the situation and wanting to play as much as possible, but I am available and need to be available for the team, which I am and always will be.

The Danish international has made just 11 starts for Erik ten Hag’s side during the campaign

‘He said it was the team he had chosen, and 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.’

Speaking to Tipsbladet while on international duty with Denmark, Eriksen added: ‘The team is performing, and I must respect the role you have alongside. 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.

‘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.’

Youngster Kobbie Mainoo has regularly been selected ahead of the former Tottenham star