Former Manchester United undroppable is open to departure from Old Trafford this summer

"It's never fun," said Christian Eriksen about spending time on the bench last season.

"It has been a slightly different role. It's new to me, but it's also new to the outside world in relation to how people talk. Personally, you always want to be the one who is chosen first in the team.

"Sometimes the coach [Erik ten Hag] looks the other way. But then I play for Manchester United, so there is just a battle for places because there are a lot of good players."

Eriksen was speaking to TV2 Sport in his homeland of Denmark and every interview he's given on his future in the last year has, unsurprisingly, been in his mother tongue. Speaking to a Danish newspaper in March, Eriksen said he wasn't happy with his game time but that he 'respects' the reduced role he's been given in the United squad.

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“I have had a conversation with Erik that of course I am unhappy with the situation and that I want to play as much as possible, but that I am available," Eriksen added.

“He said it was the team he'd chosen and Kobbie [Mainoo] is doing well and the rest of the centre is doing well too, so there is competition for places, which is to be expected when you play for a top club. There is a lot of competition. But of course, you don't want to sit on the bench."

Mainoo's emergence has demoted Eriksen in the midfield pecking order, but his qualities were already waning before the youngster broke into the side. Although Eriksen is an exceptional technician and can still thread a pass, he's slowed down in the autumn of his career and lacks physicality.

Mason Mount was signed last summer to succeed Eriksen.