It has been a transfer window full of surprises for Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club announced the arrival of Joao Cancelo from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season. Cancelo became Die Roten’s third signing of the winter, along with Daley Blind and Yann Sommer.
The deadline day for Bayern was busy in terms of big departure from the first team. According to several media outlets in Germany and England, Marcel Sabitzer is close to joining Manchester United on loan until the end of the season. There is no option to buy for the Red Devils in this deal.
Sabitzer was photographed at Munich airport leaving for Manchester earlier today. The Austrian midfielder didn’t participate in the team training at Sabner Strasse on Tuesday as two clubs negotiated a loan deal. Apart from Man United, Chelsea was also linked with a move for Sabitzer. The Red Devils have managed to win the race for his signature.
Manchester United became proactive in the transfer market to sign a midfielder once it was clear that Christian Eriksen was ruled out until late April due to an ankle injury. Sabitzer is expected to replace Eriksen in the starting lineup at Manchester United straightaway. He is likely to make his debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Marcel Sabitzer to Manchester United, here we go! Full agreement reached on loan deal, no buy option — confirmed 🚨🔴 #MUFC #DeadlineDay
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
Deal set to be signed with Bayern in the final hours as personal terms agreed too.
Boarding completed - ✈️ Manchester @TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/tLpe5XNVtJ
The departure of Sabitzer from Bayern comes as a surprise. He was expected to leave the club in the summer and make way for Konrad Laimer in the squad. However, the opportunity to play more regularly during the second half of the season has probably convinced Sabitzer to join Manchester United.
Marcel Sabitzer struggled for playing time in his debut season at Bayern. However, things looked good for him this season. He started several at the start of the campaign when Leon Goretzka was nursing an injury. The Austrian midfielder delivered consistent performances during this extended run in the team.
However, the return of Goretzka from injury significantly reduced Sabitzer’s playing time. He didn’t get an opportunity to come off the bench against RB Leipzig and FC Koln at the start of Ruckrunde. The Austrian came on against Frankfurt on Saturday for the final four minutes of the game.
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A loan move to Manchester United will be a great transfer for Marcel Sabitzer to get back his form and rhythm. The lack of an option to buy may help Die Roten hold an auction for him in the summer if he excels at Old Trafford. Sabitzer has likely made his last competitive appearance for Bayern.