Marcel Sabitzer transfer: Uncertainty over Man Utd deal could open the door for Youri Tielemans

ManchesterWorld understands Manchester United’s potential loan move for Marcel Sabitzer remains uncertain at this stage, with the Red Devils lining up Youri Tielemans as a alternative should the signing not be completed.

Reports broke on Tuesday afternoon that United are hopeful of luring Sabitzer to Old Trafford, just hours after Erik ten Hag said that completing a deadline-day move would be ‘difficult’. But with the Red Devils in desperate need of midfield reinforcements, bringing in at least one player before 11pm now seems possible.

Ten Hag’s hand has been forced in many ways due to the injuries suffered to Christian Erisken and Donny van de Beek this month. The latter has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered against Bournemouth, while it was confirmed on Tuesday that the ankle problem Erisken sustained in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Reading will rule him out until ‘late April or early May’.

It leaves United with just three fit, senior midfielders at present - Casemiro, Fred and Bruno Fernandes - with Scott McTominay absent with a short-term knock. Therefore, signing an additional midfielder has become a necessity for the club.

Sabitzer is seen currently as United’s first choice and the opportunity to bring him in on loan is viewed as more attractive than buying a player outright, but the situation has been described to ManchesterWorld as a ‘race against time’ given its emergence so late in the window.

Should the deal for Sabitzer break down, it’s understood United will try to complete a last-minute transfer for Leicester City’s Tielemans, although that would have to be a straight purchase given the Red Devils already have two loan players on their books in Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst.

Several other clubs are said to be monitoring the situation surrounding the Belgian midfielder, although no side are yet to make a move for the in-demand star. Tielemans’ contract at the King Power Stadium expires this summer meaning he could be available for a cut-price January move, four years to the day since joining Leicester from Monaco.