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The absence of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro is one of the major reasons Manchester United has struggled for results in recent weeks, according to manager Erik ten Hag, as games are “decided in midfield.”
Eriksen, the Danish midfielder, was declared out for up to three months in late January due to an ankle injury, while Casemiro is serving a four-match ban for his second red card of the season. Since signing for 70 million euros, the Brazilian has been one of Ten Hag’s most influential players, with United losing four of their eight league games without him compared to three of 19 when he has appeared.
“They’re two quality players in the midfield department, games will always be decided in midfield,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s home game Brentford.
“So when you miss two quality players, it’s clear. But you have a squad, if you don’t have them you still have to win.”
While Casemiro is suspended for the next two games against Brentford and Everton, Ten Hag stated that Eriksen is back in training but not yet fit to play.
“Not for tomorrow but he’s returning on the pitch. He’s returning into team training today, so we have to see now how quickly he can make progress,” Ten Hag added.
Ten Hag’s team fell to fifth in the table on goal difference after a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United over the weekend. United prevailed in the FA Cup and the Europa title, but they have not won the title since mid-February. This winless streak includes a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool and a goalless stalemate with bottom-placed Southampton.
“We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men, we beat Fulham (in the FA Cup) – a Premier League opponent,” he said.
“We beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, another Premier League opponent. We know we can beat Premier League teams.”
“We had a very bad performance (against Newcastle on Sunday) because the opponent wanted it more than us. They were sharper.”
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