Manchester United are closing in on the temporary transfer of Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
Following the club’s confirmation that Christian Eriksen will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks with an injury sustained during the FA Cup clash with Reading, Erik ten Hag has addressed the Austrian.
Sabitzer was spotted at Munich airport as he races against time to seal the move to Old Trafford before the transfer deadline expires.
If Sabizter’s underlying numbers are anything to go by, United fans should be excited at the prospect of the 28-year-old plying his trade in the Theater of Dreams.
Sabitzer is likely to move directly into Eriksen’s position, namely in a midfield pivot alongside Casemiro with Bruno Fernandes leading the way in the role of playmaker.
In terms of the defensive aspect of the game, Sabitzer’s stats are much more impressive than Eriksen’s.
The Bayern Munich star earns 3.06 tackles per 90, compared to Eriksen’s paltry 0.89 per game. In this statistic, Sabitzer ranks in the 92nd percentile of midfielders in Europe.
He also earns 1.84 tackles per game to Eriksen’s 0.54. The same trend applies to other defensive metrics, such as dribblers tackled, dribbles contested, and clearances made.
Sabitzer is also statistically better than Eriksen in interceptions. The Austria international is averaging 1.23 interceptions per 90, compared to 0.6 for Eriksen.
Defensively, United’s number 14 is second only to Sabitzer in blocked passes and blocked shots.
There isn’t much to separate the two midfielders in the passing phases of the game. Sabitzer averages two more passes than Eriksen’s 50 to 90.
Sabitzer has a higher pass accuracy: 84.4% compared to 78.2% for Eriksen.
United’s Danish maestro boasts slightly better numbers in terms of assists and key passes. Eriksen executes almost twice as many final passes as Sabitzer.
The profile is definitely similar. pic.twitter.com/GaKIHqjPvQ
— Frank ???????????? (@TenHagEra) January 31, 2023
The two men record roughly the same number of touches per game for their respective clubs. In possession, however, Sabitzer dribbles past Eriksen.
Sabitzer definitely excels at game control as well, this signature can work wonders. pic.twitter.com/vT77PGZMra
— Frank ???????????? (@TenHagEra) January 31, 2023
What is clear is that United are obtaining a viable and suitable replacement for Eriksen. Granted, the Premier League is a much more physical competition than the Bundesliga, however Sabitzer’s numbers paint a picture of a player who possesses the acumen to defend in a big way.
