Marcel Sabitzer has completed his loan move from German side Bayern Munich to Manchester United on deadline day until the end of the season.
However, the Austria International is not available for purchase at the end of the loan move.
Christian Eriksen’s ankle injury, which would keep him out until at least April, together with Donny van de Beek’s season-ending absence and Scott McTominay’s brief absence, increased United’s need for a midfielder.
Numerous midfielders, including free agent Isco, Saul Ninguez, Yannick Carrasco of Atletico Madrid, and Houssem Aouar of Lyon, were on offer to the club, but Sabitzer was picked.
Chelsea inquired about a trade for Sabitzer as well, but ultimately decided to go after Enzo Fernandez of Benfica.
Sabitzer transferred from RB Leipzig to Bayern in the summer of 2021, but he has only made seven Bundesliga starts so far this year.
The 28-year-old is mostly a central midfielder, although over his career, he has also filled in as an attacking midfielder, second striker, winger, and defensive midfielder.
Marcel Sabitzer
On loan from Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, Marcel Sabitzer (born 17 March 1994) plays midfield for Premier League club Manchester United as well as the Austrian national team.
He is mostly a center midfielder, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder, a winger, or a second striker.
With Admira Wacker and Rapid Wien, Sabitzer started his career in Austria.
When he joined German club RB Leipzig in 2014, Red Bull Salzburg took him on loan for a full season. Sabitzer played for RB Leipzig for more than 200 matches until being acquired by Bayern Munich in August 2021 for a rumored transfer fee of €16 million.
At several youth international levels, Sabitzer represented Austria. In June 2012, at the age of 18, he made his senior international debut.
He has participated in UEFA Euro 2016 and UEFA Euro 2020 and has more than 60 caps for Austria.
Sabitzer committed to a four-year deal with Bayern Munich on August 30, 2021, for a rumored €16 million transfer fee.
It was revealed that Sabitzer had joined Manchester United on loan through the end of the current campaign on February 1st, 2023.
What Sabitzer thinks about the move
After sealing the loan move, Sabitzer said: “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.”
“I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season.”
“I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad.”
“I’m excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans.”
Why Did United Sign Sabitzer?
As soon as it was revealed that Christian Eriksen would be sidelined until early May due to an ankle injury, it is believed that United moved rapidly to sign the Austrian midfielder over the past 24 hours.
Following knee surgery, Donny van der Beek has already been declared out for the remainder of the season, and Scott McTominay will be sidelined for two weeks with a muscle injury.
Sabitzer, who has played 443 club games in his career across Europe, including 54 since joining FC Bayern from RB Leipzig, was chosen as the best alternative.
The 28-year-old was eager to take a flight on Tuesday from Germany to Manchester for a medical.
Within midnight, United had finished his loan move and submitted the contract document by the deadline of 11 p.m. It is estimated that the entire process took 12 hours.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor was United’s first objective during this transfer window, and they succeeded in their mission by signing Burnley’s Wout Weghorst on a temporary loan.
