Bayern Munich was uncharacteristically busy during the winter transfer window. The Bavarian completed three signings to bolster the squad. Daley Blind arrived on a free transfer, while Yann Sommer was signed to replace injured Manuel Neuer in the squad. Bayern eventually completed a surprise signing of Joao Cancelo on a loan deal from Manchester City at the end of the window.
Along with bolstering the squad with three new signings, Die Roten also had one senior departure on the deadline day. Marcel Sabitzer left Bavaria on January 31 to join Manchester United on a loan deal until the end of the season. United had to sign a midfielder late in the window after Christian Eriksen was ruled out until the end of April due to an injury.
Sabitzer quickly agreed to a move to Manchester United since he was struggling to get adequate playing time at Bayern. The decision to join United is proven right for the Austrian midfielder until now, as he got a standing ovation at Old Trafford for his performance against Leicester City on Sunday.
Erik Ten Hag has integrated Sabitzer into the squad quickly since games are coming thick and fast for the Red Devils. The Austrian midfielder has already got 261 minutes of Premier League action under his belt, which is just over 40% of the game time he had with Die Roten in the Bundesliga this season. (Stats courtesy: Whoscored)
Marcel Sabitzer vs Leicester https://t.co/qvhGjz5gQv
— Comps MU 🎥 (@CompsMU) February 19, 2023
Marcel Sabitzer has played in a deeper midfield role for United along with Fred. He is expected to be a more dynamic midfielder when Ten Hag gets the opportunity to pair him with Casemiro. The Austrian midfielder has been tidy on the ball and impressed Ten Hag with his intensity off the ball.
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A positive start to the loan spell at United for Sabitzer is good news for Bayern Munich. The former RB Leipzig midfielder may not have a long-term future in Munich, but a positive loan spell will help Die Roten to get a decent fee for him in the summer.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will make Sabitzer’s move permanent in the summer. If the Austrian midfielder continues to excel for the Red Devils, Ten Hag will definitely try to get him in the summer. Die Roten will have to negotiate a fee with United since there is no option to buy in the loan deal. There is likely to be interest from other Premier League clubs in the summer if Marcel Sabitzer continues to shine in the next three months.