Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a potentially huge boost ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United.
What’s the latest?
Speaking to Danish TV station Viaplay (via the Evening Standard) following the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, Erik ten Hag revealed that it is still too early to tell whether Christian Eriksen – who missed the weekend’s stalemate due to illness – will be fit for the visit of Spurs on Wednesday night.
Regarding the current condition of the 30-year-old, the Dutchman said: “We miss him when he’s not available. But we have a squad and another 11 players on the pitch. So then we have to construct another team and we can bring players from the bench, who are all good.
“I can’t tell [if he will face Spurs]. I know you’re from Denmark, and want to know, and I want to express he’s played fantastic, in this moment, for us. In our team, he really contributes to what we are at this moment. I don’t know if he will be available for Wednesday but I hope [so], of course.”
Huge boost
Considering just how important a part of the Manchester United side Eriksen has already become since his move to Old Trafford this summer, coupled with the fact that the Denmark international was once one of Spurs’ own star players, should the midfielder indeed be ruled out of Wednesday’s clash, it would undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Antonio Conte and his side.
Indeed, over his eight Premier League appearances so far this season, the £13m-rated talent has highly impressed, having already registered two assists and created one big chance for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.0 shots – one of which has been on target – making 1.3 key passes and finding his man with 2.1 long balls per game.
The £150k-per-week playmaker particularly impressed in United’s last big match, a 3-1 win over current table-toppers Arsenal, making three key passes, creating one big chance, finding his man with three of his six attempted long balls, completing both of his attempted crosses and setting up Marcus Rashford for the Red Devils’ third of the afternoon.
These returns saw the 117-cap international earn an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.3, ranking the 30-year-old as Ten Hag’s joint third-best performer to feature in the fixture.
As such, considering just how effective Eriksen is in a creative capacity, should the midfielder indeed be unavailable for Wednesday’s meeting with his old club, it is clear to see his absence would come as a huge boost to Tottenham’s chances of leaving Old Trafford with all three points in tow – a result that would be fantastic for Conte’s top four hopes this season.
