By Noel Whelan

4th Feb, 2023 | 5:00pm

Pundit can't believe Christian Eriksen latest amid troubling Man United verdict - 'you just can't do it'

Noel Whelan has suggested losing Christian Eriksen to injury could be a “huge blow” to hopes of finishing in the top four at Man United.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted on-loan Marcel Sabitzer, Fred, and Scott McTominay are not able to replace the 30-year-old’s quality.

Man United confirmed via club media on Tuesday (31 January) that Eriksen is likely to be out until “late April or early May” after his injury in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Reading.

The Red Devils subsequently moved to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Sabitzer on loan for the rest of the season.

Eriksen, who signed for Man United on a free transfer last summer (2022), had notched two goals and nine assists in 31 appearances this season.

He had featured in all-but-one of the club’s fixtures this season prior to the injury as the Old Trafford club continue to fight on four fronts.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think what they had with Eriksen, Fernandes, and Casemiro was really working.

“They were getting consistent performances out of all three.

“It’s a huge blow. Losing Eriksen is massive – his work rate, his range of passing, his delivery, his set pieces.

“You can’t replace a player like that because he has such quality. You just can’t do it.

“They’ve gone out on short notice to get Sabitzer in. Whether he can fit into that team, or whether they go with a Fred – it’s not going to be the same.

“Sabitzer, Fred, McTominay – they can all fill a void, but it’s not the same.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals Man United FFP status – “it doesn’t look great”.