Eriksen close to Man United return, as Howe takes aim at Newcastle’s critics
Christian Eriksen looks set to make an early comeback from an ankle injury after Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag revealed the midfielder is back in team training.
The 31-year-old has established himself as a key player since moving to Old Trafford in the summer on a free transfer following a successful short-term stint at today’s opponents Brentford.
Eriksen made 31 appearances and was a near ever-present before being sidelined by a dreadful Andy Carroll challenge in January’s FA Cup fourth-round win against Reading.
United expected to be without the Denmark international until late April or early May, leading them to make a deadline-day loan move for Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. But Eriksen has made impressive progress and is shaping up for a return to action ahead of schedule.
“Not for tomorrow but he’s returning on the pitch,” Ten Hag said in yesterday’s press conference ahead of the game at Old Trafford.
“He’s returning into team training today, so we have to see how quick he can now make the progress.”
Eriksen’s absence has been keenly felt, as has that of fellow summer signing Casemiro, who has served two games of a four-match ban after being sent off in the goalless draw with Southampton.
“Two quality players,” Ten
Hag said. “You know, the midfield department, games will be decided always in the midfield. So, when you miss two quality players, it’s clear but you have a squad and when you don’t have them you still have to win.”
United’s midfield was found wanting on Sunday at St James’ Park, where Newcastle capitalised on a meek team display to secure a deserved 2-0 victory.
The Magpies moved up to third in the table after leapfrogging their opponents on goal difference and aim to maintain that advantage when they take on West Ham United at the London Stadium today.
And manager Eddie Howe has once more hit back at accusations made by Ten Hag that his team are guilty of time-wasting during matches.
“I think our first intention is to always play the game and we want, as I said after the game, we want the ball in play,” said Howe yesterday.
“I encourage my players all the time to get the ball back in play very quickly. We want to play at a high tempo and want to wear teams down physically. That goes against what was said about us. Of course, there’s been
times in games where we have to manage the game. We have to use experience, we have to do whatever we can to get a positive result. I’m not saying we won’t do that either. Certainly that’s not our first intention.”
Newcastle will make a late call on Joe Willock, scorer of the opening goal against United, who is struggling with a hamstring problem.