15 March 2024 , 12:27
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Former Real Madrid star Thomas Gravesen has blasted Christian Eriksen's inclusion in the latest Denmark squad amid the midfielder's struggle for game time at Manchester United.
The former Tottenham star has barely featured for the Red Devils this term and when he has, Eriksen has underwhelmed. His 11 starts this campaign has brought about just one goal, with only two of his outings coming this calendar year - the last of which was last month's shock 2-1 home defeat by Fulham.
Kasper Hjulmand’s Denmark are gearing up for friendly fixtures against both Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, but former Real Madrid man Gravesen has torn into the decision to call Eriksen up. Speaking to Tipsbladet, the ex-Everton hardman did not hold back in his assessment of the squad selection.
"It is completely scandalous that he has not selected Nicolai Vallys. It’s a scandal of great proportions that we have a national coach who looks so little towards Denmark when there’s a player running around with those qualities," Gravesen claimed.
"When you look at the way he is playing football at the moment. And then they choose to take out a player who has sat on the bench at Manchester United, Christian Eriksen, just to maintain relations."
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Gravesen continued by tearing into Eriksen's demise on the pitch, adding: "The Christian Eriksen we all know, he is no longer there. Christian Eriksen doesn’t play football anymore.
"Christian Eriksen sits on the bench and watches football. Christian Eriksen as we know him, he is no more. You must not fall back on the fact that you are only selected on merit. One must not single out Christian Eriksen only on his merits."
HAVE YOUR SAY!Did Eriksen deserve to make the Denmark squad? Comment below
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has admitted he isn't happy with the amount of game time Christian Eriksen has had at Man United this term (Getty Images)Denmark boss Hjulmand has also addressed Eriksen's poor season but instead seemed to shift the blame on United rather than the player. He explained: "It's not the best situation as it is right now. I really, really hope that changes. I'm pretty sure we'll see a fit Christian. I know he is.
"But of course, if it continues, it can become like it is with everyone else for Christian. There can be a concern about the level one can perform at if they don't get more playing time than what it is currently.
"I really hope it changes. A player as talented as Christian needs to play, and we certainly hope it changes at United. But it's not the best situation not to have played more."
Eriksen's United contract expires next summer and it seems increasingly unlikely that the Red Devils will look to renew. Speculation has even suggested that the club could look to buy the Dane out of the rest of his deal to free up wages for a replacement as soon as the next transfer window.
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