Christian leads out a group of youngsters for a training session at Carrington (Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)

The Manchester United bench has resembled a creche at times in recent weeks, as Erik ten Hag finds his options stretched to the limit amid a never-ending injury crisis. Yet in amongst the kids has been at least one experienced face, chatting on the bench, offering advice as they limber up, but hardly ever getting on the pitch. What has happened to Christian ?

The has now been an unused substitute in eight of the last nine games. In the last two of those, Ten Hag has essentially started four central midfielders, but he hasn’t turned to the Denmark international at any point. Against Manchester City and Everton, it is Scott  who has come into the team and   who has come off the bench.

With Mason Mount now edging closer to a return to fitness,  chances are likely to shrink further. The only one of those last nine games that he came off the bench for was the 2-1 defeat to Fulham when he was given 37 minutes.

There was a time back in the autumn when it looked like was going to force his way into the starting XI. In three successive games at Old Trafford, he came off the bench, against Galatasaray, Brentford and FC Copenhagen, and helped improve the performance. In a midfield that was as chaotic then as it is now, it felt like he brought some control and an ability to retain possession.

He forced his way into the team on the back of those displays but struggled to replicate that impact across a full game. When he picked up a knee injury in the win against Luton, it opened the door for  , returning from his own ankle injury. He was thrown straight into the side at Everton and in the process he locked the door for .

He has started just three games since and is now clearly behind in this squad. Mount can also play that role and although his start to life at Old Trafford was disappointing, the fact United paid £    55.8   for him means he will get more chances.

Time may be up for , however. He has a year remaining on his contract but it’s difficult to see a route back to regular football for him now and the midfield could be strengthened again this summer.

He isn’t the only central midfielder uncertain of his future in this squad. is only on loan and although there is an option to buy, he hasn’t done enough to suggest he is worth a further £815.5 million. has had a good season but as an academy graduate remains a sellable asset to balance financial fair play concerns.

could also be offered an exit route. He will have three years remaining on his deal this summer, but he’s had a difficult season and it might be time for United to cut their losses and get his wages off the books. Don’t forget Donny van de , either.

It’s certainly likely to be a summer of upheaval for , who ideally want a new football structure in place before the transfer window opens. At least a dozen first-team players could leave Old Trafford this summer, if not more.

Given his fall from favour, must be near the top of that list. United are unlikely to attract much of a fee for a 28-year-old with a year left on his contract, but it would at least be a further salary saving and as he signed on a free transfer, any fee would be considered as pure profit in financial fair play terms, which would help balance the books this summer.