Possible Man Utd shirt numbers available for Marcel Sabitzer - including preferred jersey

Marcel Sabitzer could complete a deadline-day move to Manchester United and help reinforce the Red Devils’ depleted midfield.

Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen both picked up long-term injuries in January, forcing Erik ten Hag’s hand in the market. The severity of Eriksen’s problem was revealed on Tuesday, with the club confirming he is expected to be out until around ‘late April or early May’.

Asked about the injury in a pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said: “Of course, he’s disappointed, we are disappointed, but it happens in top football. It shouldn’t have happened but it did and you have to deal with it.”

Eriksen’s injury has left United with just three fit, senior midfielders at present, and they desperately need to add numbers before Tuesday’s deadline. Sabitzer looks the most likely option for the Red Devils, although Youri Tielemans is seen as a potential alternative should the Austrian’s loan move from Bayern Munich fall through.

The latest reports indicate that Sabitzer has flown to Manchester to complete a deal, with the move looking ever more likely. Should the 28-year-old finalise a short-term switch to Old Trafford, there are a plethora of shirt numbers available to him.

The iconic no.7 - worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona, George Best and more - is currently vacant, although the Red Devils could be wary of handing that to a player who may only spend a few months at United. It is, however, the number Sabitzer chose to wear at former club RB Leipzig.

The midfielder dons no.9 at international level, a jersey currently held by Anthony Martial, while Sabitzer currently wears 18 at Bayern, the number Casemiro chose last summer after joining from Real Madrid. But Sabitzer’s first-ever shirt is available at United. He held 24 at Flyeralarm Admira, and that’s currently not owned by any of Ten Hag’s squad.

Other free numbers include: 13, 15, 32, 35, 37, 40. Traditionally, clubs don’t give away shirt numbers held by players on loan from the club, but United handed Wout Weghorst the no.27 earlier in January, a jersey which Alex Telles occupied. Therefore, 3 (Eric Bailly) 16 (Amad) and 26 (Dean Henderson) could be available for Sabitzer.

All available shirt numbers: 3, 7, 13, 15, 16, 24, 26, 32, 35, 37, 40