Ten Hag should repeat substitute trick v Copenhagen and not start midfield ace

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Erik ten Hag strolled into the cramped press conference room ahead of Manchester United’s vital game against FC Copenhagen alongside Christian Eriksen.

Over the years, who the Red Devils manager has selected to sit alongside him for a Champions League press conference would often be a good indicator as to whether that player would start the game.

The rule of thumb is if you’re chosen for the press conference, you’re starting the game. If this is to be the case with Christian Eriksen, however, the Manchester United boss would be making a big mistake.

The Danish midfielder started in the weekend’s win over Fulham but failed to impress at Craven Cottage and needs to be dropped.

Eriksen risk

Eriksen impressed against FC Copenhagen when he came off the bench. It was the Dane’s cross towards the back post which was headed in brilliantly by Harry Maguire to win United the game.

However, starting the midfielder is a risk. The 31-year-old no longer has the physical capabilities to keep up, especially in a position as crucial as midfield.

Erik Ten Hag needs to stick to his guns and allow the midfielder to come on in the second half of the game against some potentially tired legs, maybe then he can have a big impact on proceedings, similar to the reverse fixture.

Mount has to start

One midfielder who simply has to start this game is Mason Mount. The Englishman was once again on the bench for the Red Devils and the treatment of the £55 million midfielder is becoming more and more confusing as time goes on.

The energy that Mount brings to the team cannot be matched by any other midfielder United have and the former Chelsea man has the quality on the ball that Scott McTominay, for example, doesn’t have.

A midfield three of Sofyan Amrabat, who should come back into the team, Mount and Bruno Fernandes could well work against a side who will play the game at 1000 miles an hour but starting this dynamic trio could wrestle back control in United’s favour.

Starting the Englishman could be the key for United to win the game.