Manchester United’s loan move for Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer on transfer deadline day was one of the more surprising deals of another record-breaking window.
United manager Erik ten Hag was forced into a late foray into the market by Tuesday’s news that Christian Eriksen was out for at least three months with an ankle injury, and he quickly set his sights on Sabitzer – a player the club has been tracking for a long time.
But why has the 28-year-old Austrian international been identified as the man to plug the gap at Old Trafford and can Bayern’s fourth-choice midfielder flourish as Manchester United look to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League?
Bayern’s unwanted midfielder
The loan move for Sabitzer was only possible because Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann agreed to let one of his back-up midfielders go.
The decision shows how Sabitzer’s standing within the club has changed. Initially, when Nagelsmann’s stint at Bayern started in 2021, he was adamant about bringing his former midfielder with him from RB Leipzig.
However, he was never able to claim a spot in the starting XI when all his direct competitors for the number six role were available. Ultimately, he fell behind Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala in the pecking order.
With the Bundesliga giants securing the services of Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer this summer, it is clear that Sabitzer does not have a Bayern future.
Initially, he intended to stay until the end of the season, but he opportunistically grabbed the chance to make a move to England.
“Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions. From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me,” Sabitzer said as the transfer was announced.
