Manchester United have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich after a last-minute transfer deadline day dash.
Sabitzer was flown to Manchester late on deadline day to wrap up a move, leaving Germany at 6pm before arriving at Carrington. He underwent a medical and finalised terms with a deal sheet submitted just before the 11pm deadline before the agreement was rubber-stamped and confirmed.
"Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions," said Sabitzer. "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 am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Man Utd fans."
United's football director John Murtough added: "Marcel is a player that we have watched for a long time. The opportunity arose quickly, and we knew that he was someone with the ability and character to make an impact. He adds further quality to our squad and experience to the dressing room, and all of us are pleased to be welcoming him to Man Utd."
The Red Devils and manager Erik ten Hag moved quickly to secure his services after receiving the crushing news that midfield maestro Christian Eriksen would be ruled out until April. The 30-year-old Dane sustained a serious ankle injury thanks to an ill-timed tackle from Andy Carroll during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Reading in the FA Cup fourth round.
Sabitzer, 28, joins United until the end of this season with no option to buy included in the deal. Having signed for Bayern 18 months ago, the Austria international was expected to fare well under former RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann. Unfortunately for both parties, Sabitzer failed to make himself a regular starter in Munich and was often played out of position in a less attacking role.
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That's why ex- Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann is so surprised about United's interest, with the German player-turned-pundit telling Sky Sports News: "He is a very energetic player, he has got a good engine, he can nick a goal, I think his best position is probably a bit further forward. I don't think he is a defensive or a holding midfielder.
"I am pretty surprised they are interested because I am not sure he will help them straight away. He is a good squad player to have but whether he makes an immediate impact I'm not sure."
Sabitzer is renowned for his box-to-box style of play and has an eye for the spectacular. The 28-year-old's long-range goals were a staple of his six-season stay at Leipzig, having made the move to East Germany in 2015 after starring for sister club Red Bull Salzburg.
However, Red Devils boss Ten Hag will likely be hoping to utilise Sabitzer in a less-favoured defensive role, one which Eriksen has thrived in this term following his arrival during the summer transfer window. United will also be without Donny van de Beek for the rest of the campaign, while fellow midfielder Scott McTominay is set to be out for a number of weeks with an injury of his own.
"Of course, he is disappointed about it, we are disappointed about it. It happens in top football, you have to deal with it," Ten Hag admitted on Tuesday regarding Eriksen's three-month layoff. "It's quite clear that Christian, for our squad, brings top quality and he has some specifics that are hard to replace. For instance, his impact in the final third, [with his] final ball."
The Dutchman also poured cold water on the possibility of signing a new midfielder before the 11pm deadline, but was evidently playing coy to avoid scuppering Sabitzer's move. "Deadline day is difficult and you can't make policy on such bad injuries," Ten Hag claimed. "But we have players in the midfield department, good players, we also have players who can fill the gap."
