Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp claims that Manchester United missed the influence of Christian Eriksen in the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Thursday night.

The Denmark international was an unused substitute at the Amex, with Fred taking his place in the starting lineup, and Redknapp believes the midfielder‘s absence played a part in United losing the game:

“Christian Eriksen was a big miss today. When he doesn’t play, they miss that calmness and quality. Fred wasn’t as comfortable on the ball in those tight areas and that’s something they really missed without Eriksen. They just weren’t good enough today, Brighton were the better team and fully deserved the three points.”

It should be pointed out that Erik ten Hag’s side had enough chances to put the game to bed in the first half so, while Eriksen’s exclusion from the lineup did limit them on the ball, they weren’t completely bereft of ideas in attack.

However, the playmaker’s omission was more noticeable after the interval, with Brighton taking full control of the game, which meant that the Red Devils had to be satisfied with occasional counter-attacks.

You would expect Eriksen to be recalled to the eleven when United take on West Ham at the London Stadium this weekend.