Manchester United sign Eriksen replacement on deadline day

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By Martin Graham | 2nd Feb 2023

Manchester United made just one signing in the January transfer window. The Red Devils agreed to a deal with Bayern Munich for midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on deadline day.

While Chelsea went gung-ho in the transfer market, it has been quiet at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils are keen to save money. United did quite some business in the summer transfer window but were quiet this winter.

There were expectations that United would make several signings in January due to long-term injuries and departures from the club.

With players like Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek out for the long term, United fans hoped that Erik Ten Hag would be active in the market for replacements. Following the losses in personnel this term, United have only replaced Cristiano Ronaldo with Dutch attacker Wout Weghorst.

Erik Ten Hag has been able to sign a midfielder to fill the gap left by Eriksen. The Old Trafford side has agreed to a deal to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on loan till the end of the season. It is not a big-name transfer, but Ten Hag is not a coach to get excited by big names, and he will hope that Sabitzer delivers.

United agree loan deal with Bayern Munich

With the season hitting the business end and matches coming in thick and fast, Manchester United needed to bring in new faces, as they are still in all four competitions. Perhaps the injury to Eriksen finally forced their hand on signing a midfielder.

Ten Hag has always maintained that they would only sign players that fit their structure and budget.

On this premise, United has agreed to a loan deal with Bayern Munich for Marcel Sabitzer. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg on Twitter, Man United agreed to a move with Bayern Munich for the midfielder, who will finish the season at Old Trafford. It was an imperative move occasioned by the injury to Eriksen.

United concluded the deal before the transfer window shut on Tuesday. United have struggled whenever Casemiro is absent, with Fred and Scott McTominay proving not to be at the level desired at Man United. Perhaps the omens do not bode well for the duo, who have been playing second fiddle since the arrival of Casemiro.

Sabitzer suffered minimum game time at Bayern

Things have not been smooth for Sabitzer at Bayern Munich. The 28-year-old has struggled for regular playing time at the Allianz Arena and has jumped at the chance to join United. United and Bayern have agreed to terms, and the player will spend the rest of the season on loan at Manchester United.

As things stand, Sabitzer has already arrived at Old Trafford and should be unveiled as a Man United player soon. Chelsea were also interested in the player, but the Red Devils appear to have won the race.

For the time being, it is unclear whether the deal is purely on loan or includes the option to make it permanent in the summer. In any case, it is a win-win situation for both parties, who stand to benefit from the move.

The game against Arsenal demonstrated how a top-tier midfielder could benefit the Man United squad. The Red Devils felt the absence of Casemiro against Arsenal. The injury to Eriksen will also impact the team similarly in the coming weeks.