Manchester United announced the signing of German midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on a short loan from Bayern Munich on the Deadline Day of the winter transfer window. Sabitzer will be at the Old Trafford until the remainder of the season, following which his loan spell is set to expire.

A long-term injury to Christian Eriksen forced United into action in the transfer market in the early hours of Tuesday. The Danish midfielder has been ruled out for at least three months following an ankle injury and manager Erik Ten Hag is short of options in the middle of the park with Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay also suffering from their own problems.

As a result, United went about their business quickly and wrapped up the loan transfer with little to no complications.

“Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions,” Sabitzer said after signing for Manchester United. “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 team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans.”

Despite having an extremely successful seven-year period with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga where he also served as their captain in the latter years, Sabitzer’s high-profile move to German giants Bayern Munich didn’t pay off. 

He was signed by the Bavarians for a fee of €16 million in 2021 but has struggled to establish himself in the first team. He has made 54 appearances so far for the German champions but has also lost his place in the side in recent months. Sabitzer has started in only 15 matches in the Bundesliga in the last 18 months and has lost prominence.

The loan move to Manchester United is a chance for him to revive his career. Although the midfielder has a contract with Bayern Munich until 2025, reports suggest that he is set to leave the club permanently in the summer.

“Marcel is a player that we have watched for a long time. The opportunity arose quickly, and we knew that he was someone with the ability and character to make an impact,” said United’s football director John Murtough.