Despite winning four of their last five league games, the 20-time English league champions find themselves in the midst of a storm due to quite a few superstars looking for a way out in January.

Raphael Varane has lost his starting berth due to a combination of his poor injury record and the fact that Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans have performed admirably in his absence.

Eriksen out?

British media have continued to speculate about the Frenchman falling out with manager Erik ten Hag with a possible January exit on the cards.

The World Cup winner has been joined by Casemiro who is also said to be eyeing an exit route due to the club’s current trajectory with Saudi Arabian clubs sniffing around.

Journalist Ekrem Konour has now tweeted that fellow midfielder Christian Eriksen is also being eyed by clubs from the Middle East for a surprise January move.

Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring Christian Eriksen's situation and could make a € 20 million offer for the Danish player.
#MUFC #ManchesterUnited https://t.co/ajwjV1DMaZ pic.twitter.com/XcrR5T9ep1

— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) November 23, 2023

“Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring Christian Eriksen’s situation and could make a € 20 million offer for the Danish player,” the tweet read.

The Dane, who arrived on a free last summer, has just 18 months left on his contract and he has struggled to impose himself in big away games.

Another midfielder on his way out

His partnership with Casemiro served the team well in the United boss’ first season but both midfielders have struggled in the current term and seem to have lost a yard of pace.

In 15 appearances this season, the Denmark international has registered one goal and two assists while in his debut Red Devils campaign, he accumulated two goals and 10 assists in 44 games across all competitions.

The 31-year-old, who withdrew from international duty mid-week, will be out for a few weeks as confirmed by Ten Hag ahead of the clash against the Toffees.

United could be open to such a sale but only in the summer as injuries and poor form means Ten Hag will require all the gift he can get to salvage the current campaign.

The post Another Man United player could be on his way out as Saudi Arabian clubs eye €20m deal for Christian Eriksen appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

While Rasmus Hojlund is in contention to make the squad for the tricky fixture, the news is worse on Eriksen’s front.

No specific return timeline was provided for the midfielder but Ten Hag did say it will be “weeks” before he returns, indicating a much more serious issue.

For Hojlund, Ten Hag said that it would be a close call but they will try to make him available for the Everton game. Following that fixture, his status is under no question.

Ten Hag quotes on @ManUtd website re Eriksen/Hojlund: “Christian will take a little bit longer. It will take some weeks until he will return. Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we're working on that.
Hopefully, in next week, he will return to squad."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) November 23, 2023

The latter news will come as a huge relief to fans as Hojlund went down with an apparent strained hamstring against Luton Town which seemed serious at the time.

Eriksen was taken off before half-time in the same game to pile on Ten Hag’s nightmares.

United do have the numbers in midfield to account for Eriksen’s absence, not taking into consideration his skillset. However, the situation at the top is dire and Hojlund’s availability is a much bigger positive.

Anthony Martial has been a shadow of his former self and looks to be sleepwalking to a contract expiry at United.

Marcus Rashford in the middle has been proven to be a failed experiment and beyond those two, there’s no established forward at the club.

At worst, it could be the case that Hojlund comes off the bench against Everton if not starting the match.

Still, his mere availability, and the fact that United are not looking at going weeks without their main striker will come as huge relief to the club.

United enter an exhaustive period of fixtures now, playing almost every three days with all international breaks done and dusted till March next year.

The post Erik ten Hag gives Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen injury update ahead of Everton clash appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Most often this season, the team has looked lost, almost like they have not played together and it has been most evident in midfield where the Dutchman still does not know his strongest combination.

Casemiro’s underwhelming campaign thus far has been a major source of consternation for the former Ajax coach while zeroing in on his ideal midfield partner has also proven to be a tough ask.

The season started with the Brazilian midfield general being accompanied by new £55 million signing Mason Mount but the combination lacked balance with the former Chelsea man playing way too advanced, thus leaving a lot of gaps for the opposition to exploit.

Mount has struggled to get integrated

The England international’s versatility means he can play all across the midfield and his relentless pressing and passing attributes were on show when he was played further forward against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.

But when playing in a more withdrawn role, Mount’s lack of physicality and his tendency to drift into advanced areas has hindered the team and has led to a lack of balance.

His underwhelming start to his United career was followed by an injury-enforced absence and while he has shown glimpses of his talent since coming back, the 24-year-old is struggling for game time.

The Champions League winner is yet to record a goal or assist in the Premier League or Champions League and has started only four times in the league and once in Europe.

As per journalist Steve Bates, who writes in Givemesport, there is a genuine concern at the club regarding what the future holds for Mount, with many even comparing his situation with that of Donny van de Beek.

The Dutch midfielder had arrived as a world-beater but former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just could not find the right role for him and now the midfielder is desperately trying to end his Old Trafford nightmare.

“Erik ten Hag’s mind will no doubt be whirring with a handful of dilemmas during the international break. And it’s odds on that high on that list is Mason Mount.

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, manager when the Dutch midfielder signed from Ajax, never successfully integrated van de Beek into the team, struggling to find the right position for the Netherlands international.

Can ETH solve Mount puzzle?

“And it’s clear Ten Hag has also yet to solve the puzzle of where to play Mount with Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay all in the team ahead of him. Yet another example of why United’s transfer policy often appears flawed.”

The comparison seems apt as both are versatile stars, too versatile, in fact, for their own good and cannot shine in one specified role especially due to the presence of players who are better suited to a certain role.

Mount cannot play as a defensive midfielder and he does not possess the same passing attributes as Christian Eriksen. As the attacking midfielder, Bruno Fernandes remains ahead of the Englishman. Same went for Donny.

It will be interesting to see how Ten Hag goes on to solve this dilemma. Once Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives, he will take a good look into United’s flawed transfer policy and such deals might not happen with such alarming regularity under the INEOS chairman.

The post Mason Mount’s struggles are akin to what Donny van de Beek has gone through at Man United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Going into the break, the Red Devils’ injury list looked more like a team sheet missing only a goalkeeper, with 10 outfield players unavailable for selection.

However, by the time United kick off against Everton in their next match on November 26th, there is a chance that some of those names will be available for selection again.

This is, as we understand it, the likely return order for the walking wounded.

Everton, 26th November

Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the Luton game with illness and so should be back.

Amad Diallo could be available. He was last spotted around a week ago in individual training on the grass, which should put team training around now, and full fitness potentially in time for Everton. However, match fitness is another issue and while he could find himself on the bench at Goodison, he is more likely to be eased in with a guest appearance in the U18’s match at Southampton the day before.

Galatasaray, 29th November

Rasmus Hojlund’s thigh strain is thought to be mild and a November return has been mooted. It’s a race against time for the Gala game, with Everton likely to be too soon.

Newcastle United, 2nd December

Tyrell Malacia could just pip Luke Shaw to win the race of the recovering left backs and be available for this one as he returns after summer surgery.

Chelsea, 6th December

Luke Shaw’s return has been touted for the end of November but to our knowledge, there have been no sightings of him back in training yet. This puts him at least 2 weeks away and we think the Chelsea match is realistically the first real chance for the England man.

Liverpool, 17th December

Jonny Evans – a club statement on 10th November said Evans will be out for “a few weeks” with a thigh strain, so this could mean a mid-December return.

Christian Eriksen – on November 13th we were told Eriksen’s knee injury would keep him out for around a month, so a return against Liverpool also looks possible at this stage for the Dane.

Nottingham Forest, 30th December or FA Cup 3rd round, 7th January

Ten Hag has said that Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, United’s two longest term injuries, will not be back before Christmas. The turn of the year will hopefully see them back on the pitch.

Permanently out

Jadon Sancho is not injured but exiled following a row with Ten Hag and is expected to be sold or loaned out in January. Unless there is a major rapprochement, he is highly unlikely to play again for the club.

The post When Manchester United’s 10 absent stars are likely to return to action appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Eriksen and Hojlund were named in the starting XI for United’s Premier League clash against Luton Town at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old midfielder was the first to sustain an injury, which he picked up in the first half.

He tried to continue but it became increasingly clear he could not carry on and had to be taken off. Eriksen was replaced by Mason Mount.

Hojlund seemed to have suffered a hamstring injury in the second half.

Visibly in pain, he was substituted. Anthony Martial came on in his place.

After the game, Erik ten Hag was asked by reporters about Hojlund and Eriksen. He was evasive and instead indicated that everyone would have to wait for more thorough examinations to be conducted.

During a season in which the Dutch coach has had to contend with multiple injuries to many key stars, both the manager and the fans would have been waiting with bated breath to find out the full extent of Eriksen and Hojlund’s respective injuries.

According to Andy Mitten, Eriksen picked up a knee injury which is expected to keep him out of action for around a month.

Hojlund on the other hand sustained a muscle strain.

There is hope that Hojlund could make his return to the team before the end of November.

Christian Eriksen — knee injury; out for about a month.

Rasmus Hojlund — muscle strain; hope is that he’ll be back before the end of November.

Been a grim season so far for MUFC injuries.

— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) November 13, 2023

The Danish duo join an extensive list of United absentees who are all currently recovering.

The United pair were forced to withdraw from the national team.

At the moment, the likes of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are all not available for selection.

After the international break, United travel to Goodison Park to take on Sean Dyche’s Everton before making their way to Turkey to clash against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

The post Double blow for Man United as injury update on Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen is issued appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The Danish pair of Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund were forced off in either half because of injury, adding to manager Erik ten Hag’s woes.

The midfielder seemed to lose his footing and in the process suffered a knee injury while the striker was seen clutching his hamstring as he left the field.

Double injury blow for United and Denmark

Now as per Sky Sports, the duo have been forced to withdraw from the Denmark national team for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

It will be a major loss for the Danish national team who are set to host Slovenia on November 17 before travelling to Northern Ireland on November 20.

The latest update from Andy Mitten has now revealed that Eriksen is scheduled to miss a month’s worth of action while Hojlund is expected to be back before the end of November.

Christian Eriksen — knee injury; out for about a month.

Rasmus Hojlund — muscle strain; hope is that he’ll be back before the end of November.

Been a grim season so far for MUFC injuries.

— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) November 13, 2023

The Dutch manager is grappling with a mountain of injuries and the addition of the duo now means United are currently without their only top-class striker and their best ball-playing midfielder.

Anthony Martial has hardly proved to be an able replacement with constant boos ringing out through Old Trafford when the Danish hitman has been taken off in favour of the Frenchman.

Importance of injured duo

Casemiro’s absence and Sofyan Amrabat’s difficult start to life at United has meant Eriksen’s importance has increased throughout the campaign.

After the Luton game, Ten Hag was asked about the duo and he said, “At this moment with Rasmus, I can’t say anything about it because I don’t know.

“We do an assessment but have to wait for 24 hours to see the conclusion and if there is a problem. Christian slipped, but it is the same.”

United will be hoping their players can return injury-free from the international break while a few can rejoin training after their extended spell on the sidelines.

The post Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen withdraw from international duty appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

On the plus side, Manchester United have won consecutive Premier League games 1-0 but on the negative side, they have lost more key players to injury.

It was a mixed afternoon today against Luton for United’s Scandanavian contingent. Sweden international, Victor Lindelof, was the hero as his 59th minute goal proved to be the match winner.

However, United’s two Danish players had less luck. Christian Eriksen went down late in the first half after appearing to get his foot stuck in the ground. The former Spurs man tried to continue but was forced to leave the field of play in the 40th minute.

While his replacement, Mason Mount, put in a good defensive shift for the side, Eriksen will be a big loss from a creative point of view.

To compound matters, new fan favourite, Rasmus Hojlund, had to leave the pitch with an apparent hamstring injury in the second half. The Danish striker had a mixed afternoon with some lovely play to set up Alejandro Garnacho but missed a couple of chances he really should have buried.

The youngster still has zero goals in the Premier League and will have to wait until after the international break to open his domestic account.

Late in the second half, the former Atalanta man was seen holding his right hamstring and despite trying to carry on, had to come off and went straight down the tunnel.

The striker has been one of the few bright spots in the Red Devils season, so United fans will be praying he will be able to return after the international break. Jonny Evans already suffered a fitness setback on Wednesday’s bitter loss in the Champions League in the Danish capital.

United really haven’t had much luck with anything connected to Denmark this week.

Sergio Reguilon, who had a sprightly second half, was also taken off and fans will hope his afternoon was only cut short for precautionary or tactical reasons.

The fitness problems at the club have already derailed the season but it seems hard to fathom that the club can continue to keep losing players at the rate that they are.

At some point, it must not be considered only a matter of luck but surely the medical department and Ten Hag himself, must take a long hard look in the mirror and try and solve what is happening.

The post Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen injuries threaten to ruin the day again despite nervy win appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Fresh off a defeat in the Champions League against FC Copenhagen, no doubt Erik ten Hag would have been keen to send his players away to their national teams with a win and some much-needed confidence.

He started Andre Onana in goal with a defensive four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Sergio Reguilon ahead of the shot-stopper.

Christian Eriksen was given the nod as United’s deepest-lying midfielder with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes alongside him in the middle of the park.

Rasmus Hojlund started up front with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho flanking him on either side. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Luton Town.

United extremely wasteful in the first half

As expected, United dominated the game against Rob Edwards’ men.

The Red Devils had the majority of possession and of course, fashioned the most clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.

Unfortunately for Ten Hag and his players, they went down the tunnel with proceedings still level.

Hojlund had a glorious chance to open the score when he got on the end of a cross from Rashford, but the Dane could not make a clean enough connection to guide the ball past Thomas Kaminski in goal.

Apart from that, Hojlund had a few other opportunities to get on the score sheet, most of which came with his back to goal, but the 20-year-old goalscorer could not make one stick.

Fernandes also found himself in good positions, mostly just on the edge of the Luton Town box, but he sent all his shots well over the bar. He could not tame his efforts to give his side a lead.

Garnacho perhaps had the most glorious chance to score when he came on on one with the goalkeeper but the Argentine hesitated and scuffed his opportunity.

The Carrington academy graduate also had other openings to score, primarily through his cutting in from the left and trying to shoot with his right foot. Unfortunately, he could not find his mark.

There were other half-chances from set pieces and crosses inside the box.

At times this season, United’s inability to finish their chances, especially early in games, has dearly cost them and no doubt, this is something Ten Hag will be quick to point out and urgently address.

Rashford a far better option on the right compared to Antony

For the second match in a row, Ten Hag benched Antony and started Rashford on the right.

The Dutch coach was unable to see how this tactical change would work out against FC Copenhagen as Rashford was sent off after receiving a straight red card – he certainly got a better understanding of it against Luton.

So far this term, Antony has proved to be one of the club’s poorest performers and it’s no surprise he’s currently out of favour with respect to being a starter.

Not to say that Rashford has been significantly better than the Brazilian but he undoubtedly offered much more.

Rashford put in good crosses inside the box in an attempt to find the likes of Hojlund and McTominay – Antony has often been accused of refusing to cross in favour of going for a shot.

For Lindelof’s opening goal, Rashford put in a stunning cross from the right side, which pinged off a United player to land on the path of Lindelof.

The Swede made no mistake as he produced a powerful finish to break the deadlock.

In addition to this, Rashford constantly took his man on and was successful to a decent degree, considering the right wing is hardly his favoured position.

The 26-year-old also looked much more involved in the game and was dangerous. Ten Hag will also be pleased that he combined well with Dalot who has so far struggled to create a potent connection with the uninspiring Antony.

Antony came on in the 67th minute for Garnacho, prompting Rashford to be restored to the left wing.

Injury problems worsening for Ten Hag

Following United’s recent confirmation that Jonny Evans is set to be out for a number of weeks with a thigh injury, supporters would have been hoping that no more players would be sidelined.

However, in the first half, Eriksen went off injured and had to be replaced.

The most worrying thing is that no one was near Eriksen when he went down. He could not carried on and had to be replaced by Mason Mount.

Just as has been typical this season, Hojlund also sustained what seemed to be a hamstring injury in the 77th minute.

The young goalscorer stayed down on the floor until it became apparent a change was necessary.

Martial came on in his place.

United have struggled with injuries to key players this term and both Ten Hag and fans will be waiting with bated breath to find out the extent of the injuries sustained by Hojlund and Eriksen.

Already, stars such as Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo and Evans are out.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the Luton game due to an illness. Hojlund and Eriksen seem set to be the latest additions to United’s extensive injury list.

Hopefully, the international breaks allows some players to make their respective returns to action.

The post Three things we learned as Manchester United bounce back in 1-0 win vs. Luton Town appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Christian Eriksen will return to familiar grounds as a Dane but unbelievably, it will be the first time in his entire career that he has played a competitive club game in his home country.

https://x.com/StatmanDave/status/1722327434941415628?s=20

Eriksen was discovered in Denmark when he was part of an OB youth squad.

However, such was his technical mastery at the time that he had already caught the attention of major European clubs.

Before he could break through at Denmark and make a senior club appearance there, he was already off to the Netherlands with Ajax.

He stayed there for six years, four of those being in the first team before moving to Tottenham Hotspur where he unlocked another level to his game.

In his professional career spanning nearly 14 years, it is remarkable to see that he has never stepped foot in Denmark for a senior club side.

Teams from Denmark don’t qualify for the Champions League regularly, while the sides he has played for have inevitably been in that competition more often than not.

Furthermore, the Danish football scene in Europe is not particularly strong.

Nordsjaelland, Brondby, Mdtyjlland, and Copenhagen are the strongest names in the league but are rarely seen in the latter stages of the competition.

In terms of other homecomings, Rasmus Hojlund will also be returning to familiar grounds.

The United striker came through the ranks of Copenhagen, making 19 appearances for the side before moving to Austria’s Sturm Graz.

He will meet his brother Oscar Hojlund, with another sibling of his, Emil Hojlund, also on the books at the Danish club.

United need a win to keep their Champions League alive and they will undoubtedly need their Danish duo to produce the goods and get United firing in attack.

The post Christian Eriksen achieves unbelievable record with Manchester United appearance against Copenhagen appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Heading into the game, pressure was mounting on Erik ten Hag and his players to get back to winning ways after a number of poor results.

Ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal, with a defensive four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot ahead of the Cameroonian.

In midfield, Christian Eriksen started as United’s deepest-lying man with Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay alongside him in the middle of the park.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on either side. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 1 – 0 win against Fulham.

Raphael Varane’s peculiar exclusion

In yet another game, Varane was left out.

Amidst suggestions of rifts in the background and dressing room unrest, it was reported that Varane is one of the players who may be unhappy with Ten Hag.

It was relayed that the Frenchman was not amused by the manager’s decision to leave him out of the game against Manchester City in favour of Evans and Maguire due to “tactical reasons.”

Varane did not feature vs. Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. United claimed that he was ill and that was the sole reason for his absence.

Conflicting reports relayed that the World Cup winner did not train and was not satisfied with his ongoing situation with respect to lack of game time despite being fit.

It was therefore surprising when the team sheet came out for the Fulham game and Varane was on the bench again.

It’s puzzling that Ten Hag gave the nod to Maguire and Evans once more despite Varane’s presence.

On more than one occasion across the 90 minutes, Maguire had to come off for treatment but even then, Ten Hag did not opt for Varane.

Not to say that Maguire and Evans have done anything particularly wrong when they’ve started together but few will disagree that Varane offers much more and is easily the better defender when in top shape and injury-free.

Varane only came on int the dying embers of the game for Garnacho, to ensure United got over the line.

United struggling to create enough clear-cut goalscoring opportunities

A noticeable theme of the game was just how much the Red Devils struggled to fashion enough goalscoring chances.

With the exception of McTominay’s disallowed goal in the opening 45 minutes, United barely created anything for the rest of the half – something that extended into the second period.

Most of United’s chances came about through trying long-distance efforts that frankly, didn’t trouble Bernd Leno who was mostly comfortable throughout the game.

Ten Hag’s men had a lot of possession but it’s disappointing they could not do much with the ball up until Fernandes grabbed the late winner.

United had Eriksen and Fernandes on the pitch, arguably two of the Premier League’s most creative midfielders but even then, chances were far between each other.

As has usually been the case, Hojlund cut a very frustrated and lonely figure up front. The Dane did not have much to pounce on.

He was visibly angry when substituted.

During the game, the away fans could be heard chanting “attack attack attack” in an apparent effort to get the players to speed things up.

United’s forwards have struggled to put the ball into the back of the net this term and while this has been down to poor finishing, another primary reason is that they’ve not been presented with enough opportunities to score.

This is something Ten Hag will undoubtedly be keen to sort out if he is to be successful in retaining his job as manager of the 20-time English champions.

Antony extremely poor again

Antony was easily United’s poorest performer against Fulham.

The Brazilian contributed next to nothing when he was on and it was hardly a shock that he was the first to be taken just minutes after the hour mark.

It has usually been said that Ten Hag’s continued selection of Antony and his favouritism for the player is one of the players’ major gripes with the Dutchman.

Consistently this season, Antony has failed to justify his inclusion in the starting XI and already, he appears to be another player United have wasted big money on.

Even Facundo Pellistri who only played a few minutes managed to do more than Antony did. The Uruguayan registered an assist for Fernandes’ goal.

It’s telling that when the 23-year-old came off, United fans cheered in response to the change made by Ten Hag.

There's a Brazilian winger on the pitch United could/should have signed: Willian in 2018.
United fans cheered as Antony was substituted. He has been abysmal again. #mufc

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 4, 2023

If United are to be a successful team going forward, they can no longer rely on Antony – clearly a very limited and one-dimensional player not suited to playing at this level.

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