The absence of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro is one of the main reasons why Manchester United have struggled for results in recent weeks as matches are “decided in midfield,” manager Erik Ten Hag said on Tuesday.
Denmark midfielder Eriksen was ruled out for up to three months in late January due to an ankle injury, while Casemiro is serving a four-match suspension after receiving his second red card of the season.
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Casemiro has been one of Ten Hag’s most influential players since he signed from Real Madrid in August. United have lost four of their eight league games without him compared with three in 19 games when he has been in the team.
“They’re two quality players in the midfield department, games will always be decided in midfield,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game against seventh-placed Brentford at Old Trafford. “So when you miss two quality players, it’s clear. But you have a squad, if you don’t have them you still have to win.”
While Casemiro is suspended for two more matches — against Brentford and Everton — Ten Hag said Eriksen is back in training but not yet ready for action.
