Assessing Man United's deadline day arrival Marcel Sabitzer

 

While Manchester United will have wanted to see Christian Eriksen avoid injury, if worst came to worst, they are probably thankful he sustained an ankle problem before the transfer window closed. Eriksen was on the receiving end of a nasty Andy Carroll challenge in their 3-1 FA Cup win over Reading, and is now sidelined until late April at the earliest. 

 

To have lost Eriksen to injury is bad enough, but in doing so before the end of the month, they at least had a chance to add another body to the squad for the second half of the season. It was a similar story for Arsenal, who saw Mohamed Elneny sustain a knee problem last month, which forced their hand. The Gunners ultimately signed Jorginho from Chelsea on deadline day. 

 

United followed suit, albeit delving into the loan market, to bring Marcel Sabitzer to England. Old Trafford isn't a particularly happy hunting ground for the Austrian. His worst rated performance was in RB Leipzig's 5-0 defeat to United back in October 2020 (5.10) with the German side shipping four following his introduction midway through the second half. 

 

That said, as short-term cover in Eriksen's absence, United couldn't have asked for a better option in the middle of the park. Now, fans won't see Sabitzer offer the same creative outlet as the Dane from deep, but rather, he brings with him the energy that can be found wanting when Eriksen does play alongside Casemiro at the base of the midfield in Erik ten Hag's favoured 4-2-3-1 system. 

 

 

Of those to register at least 500 minutes of action in the Bundesliga this season, only Schalke ball-winning machine Tom Krauß (4.6) is making more tackles per 90 than Sabitzer (3.9). The 28-year-old just does not stop in pursuit of possession when tasked with winning the ball back for his side, and this is a quality to his game that will afford the United defence additional protection should he be deployed with Casemiro to protect the defence. 

 

Of the 255 players to register 500 minutes, Sabitzer is winning possession in the midfield third every 24 minutes, that ranking 30th in the Bundesliga this season, to reinforce his work rate off the ball. What is an added bonus to Sabitzer's game is his versatility. The Austria international is able to play in a number of roles, be it in central midfield, out wide or in the role behind the strikers. While he may not offer the same creativity as Eriksen or new teammate Bruno Fernandes, the hard work off the ball means Sabitzer could aid in Ten Hag's desire to defend from the front. 

 

A key reason for the addition of Wout Weghorst is that he really pressures defences, so much so that he won possession in the attacking third 14 times in the Super Lig prior to his January switch to United. That ranked fourth in Turkey's top tier ahead of his departure from Besiktas. It's a similar story with Sabitzer, who won't give opponents a moment's rest and while he himself won't create goalscoring opportunties, the pressure he applies will force defences into making mistakes. 

 

That said, with Eriksen out, and Scott McTominay also sidelined, it's likely that Sabitzer will be deployed in double pivot, and like Eriksen, the on-loan midfielder will be granted the license to push forward, with Casemiro sitting deeper to provide that protection to the United defence.  

 

When it did become clear that United were pursuing a move for Sabitzer, some may have scoffed at the decision to bring in a player that struggled to get into the Bayern team, and didn't wholly convince when used for the German side. However, a change in scenary in a system that will perhaps suit him better means United fans should see Sabitzer at his RB Leipzig best, and we're not talking about the one that played at Old Trafford in October 2020. 

 

As a move to plug the gap until the end of the season, United arguably couldn't have done much better in the market than Sabitzer. Depending on the opponent and the system, Sabitzer ticks plenty of boxes for Ten Hag and United, and as they compete on a number of fronts, the late January arrival could prove a vital addition to the side.

Assessing Man United's deadline day arrival Marcel Sabitzer