Christian Eriksen is in contention to play for Manchester United against Everton on Saturday after making a return to full training.
Eriksen has been sidelined since sustaining ankle ligament damage in a 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup on January 28. The midfielder has missed 16 matches and was initially expected to be out of action until later this month.
However, Eriksen has worked hard in rehabilitation and was back training with his team-mates at the club’s Carrington complex on Thursday. The Denmark international has become an important part of the United squad since joining in the summer and may be in the squad for the 12.30pm kick-off at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday night, Erik ten Hag sounded hopeful about his return. "Not for tomorrow, but he's returning on the pitch,” he said. “He's returning to team training, so we have to see now how quickly he can make progress."
Although they have missed Eriksen, United are conscious not to rush him back too quickly and risk a costly second injury. Eriksen has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on his comeback, but has found the isolation unusual.
"It's going well. I've just started being outside, with football boots on,” he told the club’s podcast last week. “Then we take it from there, that's the next step. I've been in the gym for some weeks now and now it's time to do the next rehab session outside.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Christian Eriksen in Manchester United's best XI? Comment below.
"It's weird not being on international duty, you're normally away and now it's more the thing you're following your national team and you're here instead of being with them. That's weird, but it has happened before so you get used to it. But, still, you enjoy it less."
Eriksen has been a key player for Ten Hag since signing in the summer on a free transfer following a spell at Brentford. The 31-year-old has made 30 appearances this season, contributing two goals and nine assists in all competitions.
He quickly established himself as a first-choice midfielder and has often been preferred to Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield, alongside Casemiro. The arrival of Marcel Sabitzer, on loan from Bayern Munich, has eased the load in the middle of the pitch, but Ten Hag will still be eager to reintegrate Eriksen as soon as possible.
United are fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Newcastle, following their narrow win over Brentford on Wednesday. Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford to end the club’s three-game goalless streak in the league.
They face Everton in the weekend’s early kick-off on Saturday before embarking on the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla at home next Thursday.
