Football
“I have played under different world-class managers but under Erik ten Hag is different entirely…I’m very frustrated”: Man United ace explains his frustrations with role under Ten Hag
Maybe it’s just part of getting old, your game time declining and younger players nicking your minutes. And, after over a decade playing at the top level, the Manchester United man – by his own admission – feels ‘incredibly old’ these days.
That may have something to do with the fact that he has been supplanted in Erik ten Hag‘s starting XI by a man 13 years his junior. A man who was only halfway through primary school when his Manchester United team-mate first arrived in English football.
Christian Eriksen, while frustrated with his backseat role under Ten Hag in 2023/24, is self-aware enough to realise why he has lost his spot to Kobbie Mainoo.
But, still, the former Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax and Inter Milan playmaker is understandably a little unsettled; Mainoo’s emergence and his new-found place on the substitute’s bench a reminder that the leaves may be turning yellow as Eriksen enters the autumn days of his career.
Manchester United must make Christian Eriksen call
“For me, the season has been a little different to other seasons,” the 32-year-old tells TV2. “It has been a slightly different role. It’s new to me, but it’s also new to the outside world.
“It is clear, in relation to how people talk (about me).”
Eriksen started 25 Premier League games during his and Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford but that number fell by more than half during 2023/24.
For the Denmark international, a benchwarming role is always frustrating, no matter your age.
“I was also a bit lucky that I didn’t sit on the bench so much when I was younger. But I did it once in a while. It’s never fun, that’s for sure,” Eriksen adds.
“Personally, you always want to be the one who is chosen first in the team. Sometimes the coach looks the other way. But then I play for United.
“There is just a battle for places, because there are a lot of good players.”
Old Trafford exodus begins with Varane and Martial
Eriksen is, perhaps, a little fortunate that he featured as much as he did. Had Mason Mount not missed the majority of 2023/24 through injury, the free transfer arrival from Brentford would have found himself even further down Ten Hag’s pecking order.
Man United confirmed via their official website on Wednesday morning that Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial would be leaving Old Trafford when their contracts expire in July. It is expected that 30-somethings Eriksen and Casemiro have also donned that iconic red shirt for the final time, with the future of fellow midfielder Sofyan Amrabat also yet to be decided.
Eriksen did, at least, retain his place in the Denmark squad for Euro 2024. Though compatriot Thomas Gravesen has his concerns about relying upon a player heading into the summer a little undercooked.
“Is he at 80 per cent? Or is he at 70 per cent? Or 50? Or 20!?,” a worried Gravesen, once of Real Madrid, Everton and Celtic, tells Tipsbladet. “We have no idea, because he doesn’t play.
“And that’s a problem. Christian Eriksen at top level is an exceptional player. But who is he at the moment?”
Football
“Call it a Day”: Manchester United Midfielder Slammed Over ‘Disastrous’ Liverpool Performance
Old Trafford witnessed a revealing scene during the pre-game festivities as Manuel Ugarte was introduced to the Manchester United faithful. The Uruguayan’s debut couldn’t have come at a more poignant time.
As the 23-year-old midfielder took his introductory bows, his predecessor, Casemiro, was gearing up for what would become a fateful encounter against Liverpool—a match that would underline the vast gulf the Brazilian now needs to bridge.
The defensive midfield role at Manchester United has been a subject of intense scrutiny and Casemiro, once a stalwart at Real Madrid, found himself overwhelmed in a game that laid bare many of United’s deeper systemic issues.
The match ended in a 3-0 defeat, with Casemiro’s disastrous performance a glaring weak spot. As Jamie Carragher insightfully remarked earlier, it might be time for Casemiro to step away from the top echelons of football, suggesting, “Football has left him at this top level. He needs to call it a day at this level and move.”
Despite the immediate criticisms, it’s crucial to remember Casemiro’s significant contributions to football, underscored by his wife’s poignant social media post showcasing his extensive trophy haul.
Such a decorated career deserves recognition, even as discussions about his current form persist. As Gary Neville empathetically noted, even the best can falter under pressure, reflecting on his own career’s twilight years.
For Manchester United, the challenge is not just about replacing a player but about realigning their entire midfield setup to compete effectively against top-tier teams like Liverpool.
Casemiro’s situation serves as a stark reminder of the relentless pace and physicality of the Premier League, where even the most experienced players can find themselves outpaced and outplayed
Football
“Biggest mistake of his life”: Real Madrid star told he has made the biggest mistake of his life for joining the Los Blacos
Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid as a free agent this past summer transfer window. While this is a significant step in his career, one person believes it’s the wrong decision.
Moreover, he notes that it’s an easy route to securing his football glory as winning the Ballon d’Or and UEFA Champions League at PSG would have had a different meaning than winning these honors at Real Madrid.
As a result, Cyril Hanouna stated in his interview with Europe 1 that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner made a mistake leaving his hometown club.
“For me, Kylian Mbappé made the mistake of his life,” Hanouna stated (h/t Le10Sport). “I didn’t elaborate last time, but I’ll do it now. Winning the Champions League with Real Madrid is normal. Of course, winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, everyone does it. All the players who are at Real Madrid, at some point, will win the Champions League.
“Being Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid is rather easy. Benzema won it at Real Madrid. Mbappé should have stayed at PSG, won the Champions League with PSG, and won the Ballon d’Or with PSG. The club was giving him everything; it would have been his club. He would have been the main man at PSG.”
PSG are a young but exciting team, and perhaps they might not have the expectations of winning the Champions League this season. However, Real Madrid has the pressure of winning the competition this campaign with the Frenchman; if they don’t, then many will consider Year 1 of Mbappé a failure.
It will be interesting to see how this tournament plays out this season as Real Madrid know who they’ll be facing in the league phase. Mbappé won’t win the Ballon d’Or this year, but winning the Champions League and playing a key role could help his chances in 2025.
Football
“A really good signing”: Alan Shearer gives his verdict on Arsenal’s unexpected signing as he backs the player become a valuable star in the team
The term ‘baptism of fire’ is often overused in football, but it rings true for Raheem Sterling when considering he could make his Arsenal debut away to Tottenham Hotspur.
For a different player, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta might decide against deploying his new signing on such an occasion, but Sterling certainly has the mental resolve to handle it.
Sterling has endured some tough times in the past for England, criticised for his performances, and he’s been subject to similar at Chelsea too.
But in north London, the 29-year-old now has a new home, and the majority of Arsenal fans are excited to see if Arteta can recapture Sterling’s best, in a similar vein to Kai Havertz.
The two are at very different stages of their career, but like just Havertz, Sterling may find his confidence once again, a player who is still in his prime years.
Alan Shearer explains why Raheem Sterling could be really ‘valuable’ to Arsenal
Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Alan Shearer was very happy that Sterling had managed to get away from a ‘horrible’ situation at Stamford Bridge, which could have become even more messy.
And the pundit then went on to explain what Sterling can offer Arsenal, a move that suits both parties.
Shearer said: “Yeah I think it’s a really good move for him. I think it was important that he got out and played.
“It would have been horrible for him to sit there and rot in the stiffs, not even maybe, not even see first team football, never mind train or whatever with them.
“So I think it was really important for him to get out with his experience and know-how, he could be valuable to Arsenal.”
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