Manchester United have received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming clash against Everton, as midfielder Christian Eriksen has returned to training. The 31-year-old has been out of action since January, when he suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup win over Reading. Initially ruled out until the end of April due to ligament damage from a challenge by Andy Carroll, Eriksen hinted at an earlier return last month after discarding his protective boot. His return to full training at Carrington has delighted both manager Erik ten Hag and United supporters, although it remains to be seen whether he will be involved in this weekend’s game against Everton at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is expected to be cautious in easing the former Tottenham playmaker back into action to avoid the risk of a setback. Eriksen’s return comes at a crucial time for United, who face Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final next week before battling Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final at the end of April. With United currently clinging onto fourth spot in the Premier League, Eriksen is expected to play a significant role until the end of the season.
Ten Hag revealed earlier this week that Eriksen was closing in on a return to action. Speaking ahead of United’s 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday, he said: “Not for [Wednesday] but he’s returning on the pitch. He’s returning into team training [on Tuesday], so we have to see how quick he can now make the progress.”
Eriksen’s return to fitness is a welcome development for United, who have struggled with injuries throughout the season. The club’s medical staff have been working hard to ensure that their players are fit and ready for the crucial run-in, with several key players including Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial having missed significant periods of the season due to injury.
Despite these setbacks, United have managed to remain in contention for a top-four finish and have also made progress in both the Europa League and FA Cup. The return of Eriksen is likely to provide a significant boost to the team’s creativity and attacking options, which have been somewhat limited in recent weeks.
Eriksen’s return to fitness is also good news for Denmark, who will be hoping to have their star midfielder available for this summer’s European Championships. The Danes have been drawn in a tough group alongside Belgium, Russia and Finland, and will be looking to Eriksen to provide the creative spark that could help them progress to the knockout stages.
Overall, Eriksen’s return to training is a positive development for both United and Denmark, and fans of both teams will be eagerly anticipating his return to action. Whether he will feature against Everton remains to be seen, but his presence in the squad will undoubtedly provide a lift for United as they look to secure a top-four finish and make progress in both the Europa League and FA Cup.