Ten Hag explains why Man Utd signed Marcel Sabitzer over four other midfielders

02 February 2023 , 09:59

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has explained why the club signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan after turning down opportunities to sign four other players - because he's followed his career for a long time.

Christian Eriksen's ankle injury is set to rule him out for three after the Danish midfielder limped out of Saturday's 3-1 win against Reading, forcing United to strengthen their midfield. Sabitzer was signed on loan from Bayern Munich after a last-minute transfer deadline day dash.

"Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions," said Sabitzer after a frantic day on Tuesday. "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 teammates and manager and to show my qualities to Man Utd fans."

United turned down opportunities to sign multiple other players before settling on a move for Sabitzer. It is claimed that Atletico Madrid duo Saul Niguez and Yannick Carrasco were offered to the club, alongside Lyon ace Houssem Aouar and free agent Isco.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

However, none of these options were suitable to United chiefs. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Daichi Kamada, who is out of contract in the summer, was also on the club's radar but there was a preference for a short-term signing for the remainder of this campaign before re-evaluating the squad in the summer.

Marcel Sabitzer joined Manchester United on deadline day (Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

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Ten Hag explained on Wednesday night after United sealed their place in the EFL Cup final with a win over Nottingham Forest: "I know the player already a long time from [RB] Salzburg. He performed fantastically, so I expect that he will do the same here.

"I think he has a great attitude; he is at the right age, and I am sure this opportunity will motivate him greatly and he will perform strongly for us."

Ten Hag continued: "We are really happy with that transfer because we need it after Donny van de Beek dropped out, now Christian Eriksen for a longer time and also, I think for a short time, Scott McTominay is also not available.

"So that gives us a shortage of midfield players. But then to bring a quality player in on deadline day that is difficult, and we got this opportunity."

The United boss has already demanded his players adapt to Eriksen's absence: "I think you see the first half that Eriksen, when he's not there, it's a different dynamic in the team.

"It doesn't have to be worse. Only the team has to adapt and that takes time. But time we don't have [time]. The next game is already coming. We have two days and then the Premier League will restart."

Sabitzer, who has won 68 senior caps for his country, is an experienced campaigner. He has played more than 400 senior games at club level in Austria and Germany. He was a key part of the RB Leipzig side that won promotion to the Bundesliga in May 2016.

Sabitzer joined Bayern from Leipzig in the summer of 2021 and won the Bundesliga title last season. He was named in both the Champions League's Squad of the Season and the Bundesliga's Team of the Season during the 2019/20 campaign.