Manchester United’s midfield has been ravaged by injuries, with the latest one severe enough for the club to bring in a replacement.
Talismanic midfield Christian Eriksen will be sidelined until April after an awful challenge from Reading Any’s Carroll.
This added to manager Erik ten Hag’s headache following injuries to Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek. And the club was forced to plunge into the loan market, eventually bringing in Bayern Munich star Marcel Sabitzer.
United’s Sabitzer move was criticized by Merson
It was one of the best properties in the Bundesliga a couple of seasons ago, when I was playing for RB Leipzig. However, after his signing by Bayern Munich, the Austrian has not managed to live up to expectations.
His playing time has been cut dramatically and that opened the doors for a temporary move to Old Trafford.
Pundits like Paul Merson were not sold on the signing and resorted to calling it a panic buying.
“Eriksen just got injured. It’s a panic. You are buying Bayern Munich fourth pick players. For me, I’m not sure about that. He does not make the Bayern Munich team,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“He doesn’t make the Bayern team, it’s a panic!” ????
Paul Merson on #DeadlineDay interest in Marcel Sabitzer ???????? pic.twitter.com/p1u84SFVGp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2023
However, fans will remember Sabitzer’s talismanic performance that helped RB Leipzig knock Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United out of the Champions League a couple of seasons ago.
United legend Rio Ferdinand criticized Merson for his opinion, calling the signing the best the club could have dreamed of after being in such a difficult situation following Eriksen’s injury.
Rio hails Sabitzer as the perfect alternative to Eriksen
“To me, those comments stink from someone who hasn’t seen him play. These guys know how to play soccer,” Ferdinand said in response to Merson on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.
“I am absolutely delighted with [the signing]. If I was trying to get a short-term replacement for Eriksen at the drop of a hat, Sabitzer is the player I would pick.”
Sabitzer ???????????????? Welcome to Manchester!
Great job ten Hag and the @ManUtd recruiting team! ✍️ #Sabitzer https://t.co/a8S9j33v8B https://t.co/afinOhiIoO pic.twitter.com/kSixlIBHNl
– Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 1, 2023
The former United defender revealed how he admired the 28-year-old’s talent when he was at Leipzig and his profile is similar to that of the injured Dane.
“I watched this player a lot when he was at RB Leipzig and he was sensational. He was an integral part of everything they did. Yes, he has gone to Bayern and hasn’t torn them apart there or become a regular, but the players he’s behind are big, well-known names.
“These guys know how to play soccer. Bayern Munich won’t sign you if you’re a fool. He is a very, very good footballer. Manchester United couldn’t have done better, I don’t think so.”
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