Manchester United are uncertain if Christian Eriksen will be fit to face former club Tottenham on Wednesday.
The Danish playmaker has quickly become a key figure since swapping Brentford for Old Trafford over the summer, making 12 appearances across all competitions as a regular starter under Erik ten Hag.
However, Eriksen was a surprise absentee from United’s squad to face Newcastle on Sunday, with the manager later confirming that his reigning player of the month was struggling with illness.
The Red Devils ultimately missed his creativity as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Eddie Howe’s in-form team and missed the chance to move a point behind Chelsea in fourth, snapping a three-match winning run across all competitions that followed their derby thrashing by Manchester City earlier this month.
Eriksen would no doubt love to line up against former employers Tottenham in a midweek Premier League affair at Old Trafford on Wednesday, though at this stage Ten Hag admits he is unsure if the 30-year-old will have recovered in time for that reunion.
"We miss him when he's not available," he told Danish station Viaplay. "But we have a squad and another 11 players on the pitch. So then we have to construct another team and we can bring players from the bench, who are all good.
"I can't tell [if he will face Spurs]. I know you're from Denmark, and want to know, and I want to express he's played fantastic, in this moment, for us. In our team, he really contributes to what we are at this moment. I don't know if he will be available for Wednesday but I hope [so], of course."
United were also without Anthony Martial against Newcastle as Cristiano Ronaldo led the attack on a rare top-flight start and substitute Marcus Rashford - on the bench having also been dealing with illness - missed a last-gasp chance to secure victory.
It remains to be seen if the Frenchman has a chance to face Spurs, with captain Harry Maguire also expected back in first-team training this week after a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with England.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams are United’s other injury concerns at present, with Scott McTominay due to return from suspension and back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in contention after being ruled out against parent club Newcastle.
