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Ten Hag says Eriksen's return is close

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) gestures to Manchester United's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) as he is substituted for Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred (L) during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 31, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag revealed today that star midfielder Christian Eriksen could be about to make his long-awaited comeback for the club.

The Danish maestro has made 31 appearances in his debut season for the club. However, he has not played for United since he was on the receiving end of a poor challenge by Andy Carroll in January's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Reading.

Because of the injury, United signed Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on loan.

United play Brentford tomorrow night in the Premier League, but Eriksen will not be available.

However, Ten Hag has indicated that Eriksen's return is just around the corner.

"Not (available) for (Wednesday), but he's returning on the pitch," Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's returning to team training (on Tuesday), so we have to see how quickly he can now make progress."

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag confirms that Christian Eriksen returns to training today 🔙🔴 pic.twitter.com/NrHkeNlcz5

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 4, 2023

United will also be without another star midfielder, Casemiro, for tomorrow's game.

The Brazilian has two games left of his four-game suspension and just like Eriksen, should feature in United's Europa League game against Sevilla on April 13 next week.

"Two quality players," Ten Hag said. "You know, the midfield department, games will be decided always in the midfield.

"So, when you miss two quality players, it's clear, but you have a squad, and when you don't have them, you still have to win."

United currently sit fifth in the table, behind Tottenham on goal difference, but with two games in hand over the North London club.

They are also behind Newcastle, whom they lost 2-0 to last Sunday. A win tomorrow night could give the red half of Manchester a massive boost in the top-four race.

"We had a very bad performance [against Newcastle] because the opponent wanted it more than us," added Ten Hag.

"They were sharper; you could see it in the challenges. We won only 16 out of 61 challenges in offense, and in defence, the opponent beat us in 48 out of 78 challenges. Then you can't win a game."

Their game against Brentford starts at 8 pm tomorrow.

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