Christian Eriksen tells Man Utd team-mates NOT to blame David de Gea despite West Ham blunder leaving top four in doubt

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has urged his Manchester United team-mates not to start playing the blame game with their season in danger of capitulating.

Yet another David de Gea howler gifted West Ham a 1-0 win on Sunday.

GettyChristian Eriksen has backed David de Gea following his error against West Ham[/caption]

GettyThe blunder has left Man Utd with just one point separating them to Liverpool in fifth[/caption]

Said Benrahma’s tame long-range effort was fumbled into his own net by the Red Devils keeper, 32, adding to the catalogue of errors he has already made this year.

But midfielder Eriksen, who last night won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award after his cardiac arrest in 2021, insisted:  “Anyone can make a small mistake.

“David slips and then it is difficult from there — but he’s one of the reasons for where we are now.

“It’s difficult as a keeper because if you make a mistake, it’s a goal.”

Erik ten Hag’s United appear to be running out of steam, the trip to East London being their 57th outing of the season.

They have taken only four points from the last 12 available.

And they now have Liverpool breathing down their necks in fifth — one point behind having played a game more.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League would be catastrophic.

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And boss Ten Hag has also admitted it would seriously hamper their chances of strengthening the squad this summer.

Asked why United have struggled at such a crucial stage, Eriksen, 31, said: “Sometimes we need extra. We’ve had a lot of chances to kill the games early but we didn’t do it.

“We have work to do but I’m confident of qualifying for  the  Champions  League.”