Manchester United acted swiftly to bring in Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer after news broke that Christian Eriksen will be missing until April with an ankle injury.
The Austrian international has joined United on a loan deal until the end of the season and will add much-needed depth to Erik ten Hag‘s side ahead of a busy period.
In light of that, Sportsmail takes a look at who Sabitzer is and what he will bring to the Red Devils.
Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has completed a loan move to Manchester United
The 28-year-old is a Austria international midfielder who – a loan home aside – has been based across the border in Germany for the past eight and a half years.
Before joining Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021, he moved between Red Bull’s European stable – spending spells at both RB Leipzig and Salzburg.
He reached the Champions League semi-final with Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig in 2020 before being reunited with the coach at Bayern, where playing time has been limited.
Sabitzer has also won 68 caps for his country, scoring 12 goals including one against Wales last year, when Austria’s hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup were ended by Gareth Bale.
28-year-old Sabitzer (R) has won 68 caps for his country, scoring 12 goals in the process
What can United expect from him?
Sabitzer is a versatile, goalscoring midfielder whose numbers stack up well against those of Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has amassed 53 goals and 78 assists in 256 Premier League appearances. Sabitzer, meanwhile, has racked up 34 goals and 29 assists in 185 Bundesliga games – a slightly better goal:minute ratio than Eriksen, who is the more creative and cuter player.
Both are a threat from dead balls, though Sabitzer offers more mobility and box-to-box threat. Sabitzer has a knack of scoring from long range and captained Leipzig.
Perhaps one German journalist put it best on Deadline Day when he said: ‘Sabitzer is a very good player. He can play anywhere in midfield and he can shoot like a horse.’
The Austrian is known as a versatile, goalscoring midfielder who is a threat from dead balls
Something you might not know?
While moving within the Red Bull franchise, Sabitzer actually played under former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick.
He also worked with former Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl and – briefly – current Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.
His record against English clubs in Europe reads: played six, won three, lost three – including one victory and one defeat in two games against United.
During his impressive spell at Leipzig, Sabitzer played under former United boss Ralf Rangnick
source:dailymail
