It has been a tough old first campaign for Manchester United manage Erik ten Hag. Having arrived at the club at the start of the season, their domestic league form has not been an unmitigated disaster as they go into their 21st game of the season sat on 39 points, only six points behind second placed rivals Manchester City and are sat in joint third place with Newcastle United.
Off the pitch though, Ten Hag has had plenty to deal with as he looks to shape his first team squad in a way that suits his preferred system and style, and of course, there was the earlier spats with European Championship and multi title winner Ronaldo, before it was finally agreed to mutually cancel his contract following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan and those who like a flutter or look at alist from BestUK.Casinowould have seen that coming.
Ten Hag has tried to remain unruffled throughout and having brought in a few new faces back in the summer transfer window, the club have been quieter than expected throughout the January window, and as I type, only goalkeeper Jack Butland and striker Wout Weghorst have arrived, but both are only half season loan deals.
With news this week that 30 year old midfielder Christian Eriksen is now likely out with an injury until late April or early May, with last nights deadline window drawing to a close, many fans of a Red Devil's persuasion were left wondering if this would force the club into doing a late deal for a player to replace him, given the Danes importance.
Having picked up an ankle injury in their FA Cup victory over Reading last Saturday, Ten Hag told the press that he was confident he already had the 'players who can fill the gap' now left by Eriksen being sat on the sidelines, but he would not be drawn on whether or not there was a late move, or even two, on the cards for fans to wake up to on Wednesday morning.
"On deadline day it's difficult to bring in a replacement. You can't make policy on such bad injuries. But we have players in the midfield department and good players."
With 31 appearances to his name, Eriksen leaves big boots to fill as United continue learning exactly what theirnew gaffer wants from them. A club statement announcing the Eriksen blow, explained.
"He is expected to be out of action for an extended period. 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."
United are of course also dealing with the loss of fellow midfielder Donny van de Beek who was ruled out for the remainder of the season having picked up a new injury this month as well.
There was certainly speculation that United would make a late window move, and one of the most popular suggestions on the rumour mill was that they were trying to pull off a loan move for Bayern Munich's Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, and it was said he was flying into the UK to complete the deal.
We will simply have to see if that deal actually got over the line or not.
