‘Sometimes you have to make quick decisions’ - What Marcel Sabitzer said as Man Utd transfer confirmed

The midfielder has joined Manchester United on loan until the end of the season.
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Marcel Sabitzer has been confirmed as a Manchester United player, joining on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season.

The transfer wasn’t announced before the 11pm deadline but was confirmed by United at around 12:15am on Wednesday via the club’s official channels.

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A long-term ankle injury to Christian Eriksen forced United into the market on deadline day, with the former Tottenham Hotspur man set to miss the majority of the final months of the campaign. It left the Red Devils with just four midfielders - Fred, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay - as options for Erik ten Hag until the end of the season, and the latter is currently out with a short-term muscular knock.

“We have a challenge there,” Ten Hag said on Tuesday, prior to Sabitzer’s arrival. “We have quality players there, that is obvious, but the depth is not there anymore. We as a team have to deal with that.”

With Donny van de Beek also out until the start of next season, the Red Devils moved quickly to complete a short-term deal for Sabitzer. The player was well known by the club’s scouting department and was immediately identified as a natural replacement when the extent of Eriksen’s injury became clear. He was deemed the best available attacker midfielder on the market, helped by his versatility and ability to play in more offensive areas.

Contact was first made by United on Tuesday afternoon, with the whole process wrapped up inside 12 hours. For his part, Sabitzer was immediately keen to join the club and jumped at the opportunity when it was presented to him. United also feel the transfer, along with arrivals of Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland on loan, will provide enough cover for the team to compete on four fronts in the second half of the season.

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Speaking after his arrival in Manchester, Sabitzer said: “Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions. 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 Manchester United fans.”

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 Manchester United.”

Sabitzer has struggled to make an impact at Bayern since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 and has started just two league games all season for the reigning German champions. The Austrian has earned 68 international caps and has netted 12 times for his country.

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