Christian Eriksen insists that Manchester United will recover from their crisis - but the club's decision on his future means that he might not be able to reap the rewards.
Eriksen's contract with United is due to expire in June 2025 and Old Trafford chiefs have decided not to offer him an extension. The 32-year-old is therefore free to talk to other clubs from Wednesday, January 1 and will be allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with a team from abroad.
Having joined the Red Devils two-and-a-half years ago, ex-Tottenham star Eriksen has seen his fair share of ups and downs. The latest low has seen United suffer four successive defeats under new manager Ruben Amorim to end what's been a wretched year for the club, but Eriksen believes that they'll eventually climb out of their slump.
"There is a feeling at the moment that every mistake we make is feeling a lot worse than it actually is," the midfielder confessed to MUTV following Monday's dismal 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle. "We have to dig ourselves out of this."
Eriksen added: "It is very important [we stay together]. We are more or less halfway through the season; there is half a season to go and there are a lot of games with points to play for.
"I am hopeful that we will turn around at some point, look back and think we were in this, but at some point we will be out of it, for sure."
When that 'some point' is remains to be seen, with Eriksen potentially leaving as early as the January transfer window should United receive a substantial offer. The Dane has been linked with a return to former club Ajax and isn't the only player nearing the end of their current deal.
Team-mates Amad, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are all on the chopping block, with the Red Devils keen to refresh their squad for Amorim's first summer. That's if the Portuguese boss remains in charge, of course, with results yet to prove why United paid Sporting Lisbon £11million for his services.
United aren't expected to have any funds to spend in January unless they secure departures. Marcus Rashford has already made it clear that he's 'ready' to leave Old Trafford and his sale - if feasible - would likely be the most lucrative among those who don't appear to be part of Amorim's plans.