'Unhappy' Man Utd star admits he has spoken to Erik ten Hag over reduced play time

Manchester United star Christian Eriksen has admitted he is not happy with his current playing situation at Old Trafford. Eriksen has struggled for starts this season amid increased competition in Erik ten Hag's ranks.

The Dane has started just nine Premier League games, making only 16 league appearances in all. The lack of playing isn't likely to get much better, either, with Mason Mount returning to fitness ahead of the final weeks of the season.

Eriksen was lucky to get called up for the latest Denmark camp, given his lack of appearances, and some Danish pundits have made their feelings clear on the topic. But as he prepares to represent his country over the next week or so, Eriksen has been speaking to Danish magazine Tipsbladet about his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.

"I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it's not something that keeps me up at night," he said. "The team is performing, and I must respect the role you have alongside. For my part, it has been about working hard and focusing on being fresh for every game, and I am. It is easier now to accept my role than it would have been before.

"I have had a conversation with Erik (Ten Hag) about being unhappy with the situation and wanting to play as much as possible, but I am available and need to be available for the team, which I am and always will be. He said it was the team he had chosen, and Kobbie (Mainoo) is doing well, and the rest of the midfield is also performing well, so there is competition for places, which is expected when playing for a top club. There is great competition within the team."

Speaking about his desire to play more, the midfielder added: "Of course, you can be concerned in the long run because I want to play as much as possible. Naturally, you don't want to always sit on the bench. I don't have that approach to it, but it's not something that worries me right now. Often when you change teams and win, you don't change the winning team, and I respect that."