Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed the “main reason” why one Red Devils star has seen his playing time dwindle in the current campaign.
Erik ten Hag has endured an up-and-down season at Old Trafford after impressing in his debut outing at Manchester United in the 2022-23 campaign.
The Red Devils’ top-four Premier League challenge is all but over after United dropped valuable points in their last five league matches.
United were fortunate to secure a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last weekend and currently languish in seventh place in the league table.
Erik ten Hag’s men are level on points with sixth-place Newcastle, 10 points adrift from fifth-place Tottenham and 13 points behind fourth-place Aston Villa.
The United boss can still end the season on a high note if the Red Devils are able to capture the FA Cup trophy, having fallen short of it in the previous campaign.
The Red Devils face Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday at Wembley ahead of punching their potential ticket to the final in May.
Ten Hag on Man Utd star’s struggles
Erik ten Hag has seen his squad ravaged by injuries this season, while other Manchester United stars have seen their playing time reduced.
One such player who has struggled for first-team minutes is Christian Eriksen, whose influence has significantly waned at Old Trafford in his second season.
Former Tottenham and Ajax star Christian Eriksen was a key signing for Ten Hag in 2022 after he left Brentford and signed on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old Danish midfielder was widely praised for his debut season at Old Trafford and forged an effective midfield partnership with Casemiro.
However, Eriksen was ruled out of action earlier this season due to injury, with the United star managing only 16 Premier League appearances for his side.
The Denmark international, who is under contract until 2025, has managed only nine starts in his 16 Premier League appearances this season.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag admitted that the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo has impacted Eriksen’s playing time this season.
“I think that [Kobbie Mainoo’s progress] is the main reason,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“He [Kobbie] was so important for us, he is playing in that six/eight role, [to] bring creation to the team, bring composure, in our possession game, to the team.
“I think that is the main reason why Christian has less minutes than last season.”
Ten Hag on Mainoo’s partner Casemiro
Mainoo has been widely hailed this season after his breakout campaign at Old Trafford, with the United youngster becoming a key midfield figure.
The England and United midfielder has impressed with his performances and become a regular starter under Red Devils boss Ten Hag.
Ten Hag has often partnered Mainoo alongside Casemiro, who has come under criticism over his struggling form for United this season.
Speaking on Casemiro, the United manager said: “I think we needed a six [defensive midfielder] when I arrived here and, last season, Casemiro was fantastic. I don’t think he ever scored so many goals as well.
“But as a six, as a holding midfielder, as a strategist, he was so important for the team.
“This season, he struggled with some bad injuries, he never had this in his career. But I know he is such a winner. See his career, all his career he always won. Everywhere where he was, there will be success.
“And I trust he will give us also the success, and I know he needs games and he will be better. I’m very confident about him, he’s a fighter, that’s why he won the big trophies.
“He’s a personality, and he’s a very important player for us and, as I say, he will give us success.”