The Man Utd manager opted against making Marcel Sabitzer’s loan move permanent this summer and the Austrian єɴԀed up signing for Borussia Dortmund.
Few eyebrows were raised when Manchester United decided against making their two January loan moves permanent this summer.
Having seenCristiano Ronaldodepart andChristian Eriksenfall victim to a long-term ankle ιɴjυɾу,Erik ten Hagdipped into the loan market to fill the gaps withWout WeghorstandMarcel Sabitzerrespectively. The former was an undisputed flop with just two goals in 26 appearances, but the latter’s spell at Old Trafford wasn’t quite as black and white.
Sabitzer managed as many goals as Weghorst from 11 games fewer and was steadily impressive across the midfield as he plugged various ιɴjυɾу and suspension-related holes, until a knee ιɴjυɾу in mid-May saw his season єɴԀed early. The Austrian did little to harm his reputation during the loan but also failed to make the impact that encouraged Ten Hag to make his move permanent.
And so as June turned to July,Unitedcalled time on Sabitzer’s loan and the midfielder returned to Bayern Munich, even if only for 24 days.Borussia Dortmund confirmed a permanent Ԁєɑł for the 29-year-old earlier this week, having paid around £16million and tied him down to a four-year Ԁєɑł.
A spell of regular football can only have helped Sabitzer regain the momentum lost at Bayern, and he admitted as much after signing for Dortmund. “I had a smile on my face every day that I could be there [at United] and play,” he said. “I got a lot of rhythm, a lot of confidence, performed well. And that does something to you.”
How much that has done to him remains to be seen, but the Austrian may get a chance to show Ten Hag what he could have won when Dortmund face United in the early hours of Monday morning. The Reds will єɴԀ their pre-season tour of the United States at the Allegiant Stadium and could well reunite with their former loanee.
Ten Hag’s desire to strengthen in midfield was clear during his pursuit ofMason Mount, with the Dutchman focusing all efforts on getting a £55 million Ԁєɑł over the line as his first signing of the summer. But while that area of the pitch has been put on the back burner in the midst of a striker hunt, the club are open to a second arrival.
FredandScott McTominaycould both leave Old Trafford this summer, with Fulham and West Ham showing the most interest respectively. United are not open to losing the latter but would not turn down a substantial proposal.
The exit of either will open up a gap in midfield, and despiteKobbie Mainoo being informed of his place in Ten Hag’s ρłɑɴsfor next season, the Reds boss would want to get a second experienced body thɾօυɢҺ the door. Sabitzer may have hoped to make his loan Ԁєɑł permanent this summer and made no secret of his love for the Premier League.
“I have found my place here,” he told BILD in April. “I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense or tougher.”
Ten Hag didn’t give him that move in the єɴԀ but the United boss could regret his decision come Monday.
