Rasmus Hojlund backs Christian Eriksen to secure more minutes for Manchester United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 24 March 2024

Hojlund backs Eriksen to secure more minutes for Man United

Rasmus Hojlund tips "class player" Christian Eriksen to secure more action for Manchester United in the latter stages of the season.

Rasmus Hojlund has backed "class player" Christian Eriksen to secure more action for Manchester United in the closing stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

Eriksen, 32, has made 21 appearances for the Red Devils this season, but he has struggled for football since the turn of the year, playing just once in the league since the middle of January.

The experienced midfielder has been an unused substitute in six of his side's last seven games in England's top flight, but he did feature for 40 minutes against Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend.

Eriksen said last week that he is "unhappy" with his game time at Man United and has spoken to Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag to discuss his situation.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen during training on March 19, 2024 © Reuters

Eriksen played the full 90 minutes of Denmark's 0-0 draw with Switzerland on Saturday, while Hojlund featured for 84 minutes of the international friendly.

Hojlund has said that he understands the frustrations of his international and club teammate and has backed the experienced midfielder to secure more football in the final months of the campaign.

"I myself have sat on the bench for Copenhagen, so I know what that means," Hojlund told TV2. "But he holds his head high and he is a class player. There is absolutely no doubt about that.

"There is no concern at all from me about it. Of course, you want to play football. And I'm sure he does too. [But] he trains well and is still very positive and very helpful, so it's not a big deal. He is a real professional.

"It was good he got some minutes against Liverpool. I think he did really well when he came on.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

"He is a good player, so you would like to see him on the field, but we have many good players. So it must be the coach's decision whether he plays or not."

Eriksen's future has recently been the subject of speculation, with the midfielder potentially leaving Old Trafford this summer, although he has a contract with the club until June 2025.

Both Eriksen and Hojlund are set to feature for Denmark against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday evening before returning to Manchester to prepare for Man United's Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand said last week that an agreement had been reached with Man United to monitor Hojlund's minutes during the international break, as the 21-year-old has only just recovered from a muscular problem.