01 February 2023 , 10:44
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Deadline day is usually a frantic affair and, judging by Manchester United's activity, things were indeed chaotic at Old Trafford in the final hours of the January transfer window.
The Red Devils left it late but got a deal to sign Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich over the line. The Austrian playmaker, 28, has joined until the end of the season, bolstering United's midfield ranks after Christian Eriksen was ruled out injured for at least three months.
On paper, Sabitzer appears to be a shrewd last-minute acquisition for Erik ten Hag and Co. given his title-winning experience and eye for goal, even though his recent form has been far from prolific. However, it has emerged that the former RB Leipzig star was not United's initial target - one of his teammates was.
Sky Sports claims the Red Devils honed in on Ryan Gravenberch only to discover Bayern had no desire to let the 20-year-old depart Allianz Arena. United had begun to search for high-quality options to join on a temporary basis after Eriksen's injury and Scott McTominay's ongoing niggles left Ten Hag with only Casemiro and Fred available in midfield.
It was no surprise that Gravenberch was on United's radar, as Ten Hag helped him develop into one of Europe's brightest prospects at Ajax before their respective exits last summer. The 20-year-old has not featured as regularly as he hoped to for Bayern this season but remains intent on fighting for his place.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Therefore, with Gravenberch unavailable, United turned their attention to Sabitzer and wrapped up a deal with minutes remaining before the window slammed shut. The last-gasp agreement to sign a player who has scored over 100 career goals at club level "delighted" Rio Ferdinand, put fellow pundit Paul Merson is not convinced of the Austrian's quality.
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Manchester United initially set their sights on Ryan Gravenberch (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)"Marcel Sabitzer doesn't get in the Bayern Munich team," the Arsenal legend said on Sky Sports. "I know they've got a two cemented in midfield [Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich] but if he was that good, he'd be pushing. Again, it goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1. You're buying second-rate Bayern Munich players.
"This lad wasn't on the radar before. He doesn't get in the Bayern team, nowhere near their first team. You've got to ask, 'is he going to make us better?'. I'm not sure."
Sabitzer has scored once and grabbed one assist for Bayern this season. As Merson stated, the majority of his 24 appearances in all competitions have come from the bench, most recently in their 1-1 draw - their third stalemate in a row - at home to Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday.