A number of Manchester United supporters were left puzzled following the launch of their 2023/24 home kit on Tuesday morning.
A visit to United's online shop showed that supporters could buy the new home strip for the forthcoming campaign with former loanee Marcel Sabitzer's name and number printed on the back. The Austrian joined the Reds on loan on the final day of the January transfer window, signing from German club Bayern Munich.
United found themselves in a battle against the clock on deadline day after the extent of Christian Eriksen's ankle injury turned out to be a lot more serious than first expected. United, to their credit, worked hard to get Sabitzer through the door ahead of the 11pm deadline.
The Austrian, who had previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, delivered a solid account of himself during his short-term spell in M16, scoring three goals and grabbing one assist in 18 appearances. However, his season was brought to an early conclusion because of a knee injury.
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That meant he missed United's last four Premier League games of the campaign and the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. Nevertheless, some United fans believe the 29-year-old did enough to potentially bag himself a permanent move to Old Trafford this summer, as the club plans to strengthen its midfield options.
And United supporters believe the fact that you can purchase a 2023/24 home shirt with his name and number on the back could be a hint that he might be sticking around, although nothing has been agreed between United and Bayern. To add even further intrigue the situation, you cannot purchase the new home shirt with Wout Weghorst's name and number on the back.
The Dutchman, like Sabitzer, joined United on loan for the rest of the season back in January. You can only buy a 2022/23 shirt with 'Weghorst' and '27' printed on it.
As for Sabitzer, speaking back in April, he refused to rule out the prospect of sealing a permanent switch to Old Trafford in this summer's transfer window. He felt he had adapted to life in the Premier League and was enjoying the challenge that came with it.
"This is initially a project until the summer, then we'll see," Sabitzer told BILD. "Until then, I want to give everything here.
"It's a loan deal with no options; the situation will be assessed in the summer. But I can say for myself: I have found my place here. I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense or tougher.
"Every game is a fight; everything goes faster. This is the best league in the world; once you've played here, you know it's incomparable here."
Considering United want to recruit a new midfielder this summer, and uncertainty concerning the takeover means question marks surround what they will be capable of achieving in the market, Sabitzer could be a solution to their problems. He is capable of playing in a handful of different roles and he offered flashes of his capabilities during the second half of 2022/23.
The Austrian is under contract at Bayern until June 2025. He joined them from RB Leipzig in 2021.
