The curtain came down on Marcel Sabitzer's season this week after confirmation that the Austrian would miss the final three league games and the FA Cup final due to a knee injury.
Sabitzer was not involved in Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Wolves, a victory that reset United's top-four fight after consecutive defeats on the road. The 29-year-old came off the bench at West Ham the previous week and finished the game, with Reds boss Erik ten Hag unable to elaborate on his absence over the weekend.
However worst fears were confirmed upon Monday's news that a meniscus problem will see him sidelined for the run-in. Sabitzer signed on loan from Bayern Munich in January, drafted in as swift and competent cover for Christian Eriksen, whose injury against Reading saw him absent for two months.
ALSO READ: United in talks with Bayern Munich after Marcel Sabitzer injury blow
Such was the speed with which Ten Hag needed to sort a deal that discussions over any option/obligation to buy were sidelined. And so as things stand, Sabitzer will return to parent club Bayern Munich in the summer.
The two clubs are currently in talks over the midfielder's rehabilitation, namely whether it should take place at Carrington or back in Germany. No decision has been made on his future beyond summer, but Sabitzer's absence for the final four games of the season should not spell the end of his United career.
Initially signed as Eriksen's cover, the Austrian has been dropped into every midfield role. A red card for Casemiro against Crystal Palace in February saw Sabitzer introduced for his Reds debut in a defensive midfield role - one he would retain for the course of his teammate's three-game ban.
The former RB Leipzig man enjoyed his most prolific spell further forward, with two goals against Sevilla following an assist for Marcus Rashford as a No.10. While not being revolutionary, Sabitzer has steadily impressed at Old Trafford with Ten Hag often praising the loanee.
The Dutchman has not ruled out the possibility of a permanent move, and frustration over a lack of minutes at Bayern will not ease for Sabitzer with Konrad Laimer joining from Leipzig in the summer. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka have been ever-present in midfield and show no signs of losing form.
A permanent move for Sabitzer this summer may not excite fans in the same way as a marquee signing would, but shrewd functional additions are as important to building a title challenge as big-money options. United would likely get change out of £30million, which in today's market would spell good business for a consistent and versatile midfielder.
That is not to say that more quality is not needed, and Ten Hag is expected to bring a top-class No.8 to Old Trafford after he finds his striker. Interest in Frenkie de Jong last summer suggests the calibre of player being eyed, as do links to Brighton's Alexis MacAllister.
But squad depth is paramount ahead of next season, and those £20-40million signings will prove crucial over the course of a campaign.
Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup final print supplement by clicking here.
READ NEXT
