Erik ten Hag gives his reaction to losing Christian Eriksen to injury and whether Man United will replace him

Erik ten Hag has shared his thoughts on Christian Eriksen being ruled out until at least April following the injury he sustained against Reading.

"[He] is expected to be out of action for an extended period," the club said in a statement.

"There is hope that Christian can return in time to play a role in the final stages of the season.

"While investigations are continuing, initial assessments indicate that Eriksen is likely to be out until late April or early May."

"Of course, he's disappointed," he said. "We're disappointed, but it happens in top football and you have to deal with it. I think you can never fill that gap, because every player has his own characteristics and identification.

"Another player will always fill in in a different way, but it doesn't mean you have to be less successful.

“It's quite clear Christian brings top quality to our squad and he has some specifics that are hard to replace, such as his impacts in the final third with his final ball."

Ten Hag added: "On deadline day it's difficult. You can't make policy on such bad injuries, but we have players in the midfield department, good players, so we have players who can fill the gap."

According to reports, though, Man United have contacted several clubs around Europe to see whether they can recruit a midfielder before the 11pm transfer deadline.

The likes of Marcel Sabitzer, Ryan Gravenberch and Yannick Carrasco, among others, have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.