Reading manager Paul Ince has labelled Andy Carroll’s challenge on Christian Eriksen, which resulted in the Manchester United playmaker leaving Old Trafford on crutches, as a “poor tackle”.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils beat the Royals 3-1 at Old Trafford last night to advance to the FA Cup fifth-round.
But just shy of the hour mark, the former Ajax manager had to replace his number 14 after Eriksen had been scythed down by Carroll.
The 30-year-old, who was replaced by United goalscorer Fred, was pictured leaving the Theatre of Dreams on crutches.
Paul Ince issues two-word verdict on Andy Carroll’s challenge which left Christian Eriksen leaving OT on crutches
With Donny van de Beek out for the long-term and Scott McTominay missing the win against the Championship outfit, Ten Hag is facing an anxious wait to hear the extent of the former Brentford man’s ankle injury.
Reading were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute after Carroll had received his second yellow card in the space of five minutes.
While the former Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion marksman wasn’t booked for his hefty challenge on Eriksen, Ince briefly touched upon the injury sustained to the Danish playmaker in his press conference.
The former United midfielder said: “Once you get booked, you’re on a tightrope. There was a poor tackle against Eriksen which could have been another booking and the second one on Casemiro – he’s sliding but if you look at it he has moved his legs away because he knows he can’t go through him.
“The referee plays on but next minute the crowd are up and he turns around and can’t wait to book him so that’s the only negativity on the game.
“It should have been a wonderful occasion and experience for everyone but that’s a downer for me because we lose him for Watford next Saturday.”
Casemiro and Fred are Ten Hag’s only current available senior midfield options with youngsters Kobbie Mainoo, who came on against Reading, and Zidane Iqbal ready to step up to ease Ten Hag’s growing injury crisis.