Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admitted it is impossible for his side to secure a replacement for Christian Eriksen.

The Danish midfielder is out for a couple of months due to an ankle injury.

Eriksen sustained the injury after a rough tackle from Reading striker Andy Carroll in a recent FA Cup tie.

“Of course he's disappointed," said Ten Hag to reporters.

“We're disappointed, but it happens in top football and you have to deal with it. I think you can never fill that gap, because every player has his own characteristics and identification.

“Another player will always fill in in a different way, but it doesn't mean you have to be less successful.

“It's quite clear Christian brings top quality to our squad and he has some specifics that are hard to replace, such as his impacts in the final third with his final ball."

“On deadline day it's difficult," added Ten Hag.

“You can't make policy on such bad injuries, but we have players in the midfield department, good players, so we have players who can fill the gap."