Paul Scholes names 'big player' Manchester United have missed amid injury crisis

Paul Scholes has lauded the return of midfielder Christian Eriksen to the Manchester United squad after a lengthy spell out.

Eriksen suffered a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Luton Town on November 11 and has been out of action for the six weeks since. In his absence, Erik ten Hag's side have endured another tough period and were eliminated from the Champions League.

The Denmark international returned to full training earlier this week and was included in the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to West Ham. And Scholes believes the midfielder's technical quality should improve things in that area of the pitch.

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"He’s a big player for them with that quality in midfield," Scholes told TNT Sports. "United have really missed him, he’s been out for some time now.

"Look, I don’t like complaining about injuries because it’s that time of year. But United have missed some very important players that were good for them last year and got them in the top four and won the Carabao Cup.

"There is still a good team here, he has just not been able to get it out on the football pitch. I think come mid-January when he gets these players back, I think they will be better."

Eriksen's return was somewhat offset by the absence of Raphael Varane on Saturday, with Ten Hag confirming the France international was ill. He was replaced by 19-year-old Willy Kambwala in the starting line-up, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez all injured.

The latter is not expected to return until the new year. Anthony Martial has been absent through illness while Mason Mount