Erik ten Hag surprisingly says Man Utd ace has ‘proven himself’, he is ‘very happy’ with his performances

He provided the latest update on Man Utd’s injuries, with Noussair Mazraoui set to return to action soon, disproving previous suggestions that his problem was serious.

Ten Hag also spoke about the team’s need to score more goals, while decrying the media’s “fairy tales and lies” that reported his job was in danger during the international break.

During a fiery press conference, he set aside a special time to praise a player whose resurgence this season has been a major surprise.

Erik ten Hag about Christian Eriksen proving himself

At the start of the season it seemed a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ Christian Eriksen would leave Manchester United.

The Danish midfielder was unable to build on the performances of his debut season and remained a bit player in his second season at Old Trafford.

The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo had sidelined him further and with just one year left on his contract, the summer was the last time United could sell him for a fee.

However, a move didn’t work and Eriksen started the season further down the pecking order as not only did Casemiro stay, but Manuel Ugarte arrived and Mason Mount was fit again.

Well, so much for those developments.

Two months later, Casemiro is a solid back-up after some nightmarish performances, Ugarte is struggling to establish himself in the Premier League, Mount is injured again and Eriksen cannot stop scoring.

With three goals and three assists in eight games in all competitions, he sits at the top of the charts this year for a notoriously poor Man United.

At a time when Man United are breaking 52-year-old records for profligacy, Eriksen’s goals were an oasis in the desert.

Ten Hag praised his midfielder’s revival and hinted that he has now grabbed the first-team spot by the neck.

He said: “Lately he has proven himself within the team with Kobbie and has proven that they can be a good couple. He has had a good season so far and is important to the team because he connects important passes and is creative, composed and calm. I am very happy with his performance.”

Man Utd’s decision was justified

Despite his less than ideal form in the second season, United still believed they would retain him rather than treat him as an ailing asset that they had to offload at all costs.

Eriksen did have offers to leave in the summer, but nothing that matched United’s valuation or the player’s ambition.

That’s because United judged that a season of Eriksen’s contribution would be worth more than the nominal fee a buying club would command.

That decision was confirmed as the Dane has scored crucial goals to give United some points, while all the other strikers seem to have forgotten their shooting boots.

Since arriving on a free transfer, he hasn’t been an albatross on the FFP list either, making that decision an easy one for United.

Now he’s paying it forward and as it stands, he’s one of the first names on the team sheet, especially in light of Kobbie Mainoo’s injury.

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