Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag blasted Reading striker Andy Carroll after Christian Eriksen's injury diagnosis.

Eriksen has been ruled out for at least three months following the reckless challenge on him by Reading striker Carroll in Manchester United's 3-1 FA Cup win last Saturday. United midfielder Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches and could be out until early May following the tackle from Carroll that did not even earn him a booking.

Carroll was eventually sent off for two subsequent yellow cards, but Ten Hag criticised the former Liverpool striker for the Eriksen challenge, claiming such actions have no place in football.

“I'm disappointed about that," said Ten Hag. “I think football has to set limits, restrictions, that protect the players. What football wants is the best players to be available on the pitch.

“This is a tackle - and the two tackles after it – that don't belong on a pitch, because there is a high risk of injuring your colleague. So, it's worse and I'm left wondering about that.

“I'm also wondering more, when we were at Crystal Palace, there was an elbow on Lisandro Martinez. I don't believe there was even a whistle for a free kick and I'm wondering about such things, because it's a risk of injury for the player."

Asked if he felt Carroll had deliberately tried to hurt United's players, Ten Hag added: “I made my view about that. I think it was quite clear what my thoughts were."