Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ian Wright gives Ten Hag transfer headache at Man Utd with Bundesliga, Brighton stars under consideration for summer moves

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

Ian Wright has given Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag some serious thinking to do when it comes to his next midfield signing, with Marcel Sabitzer coming in for praise but the Red Devils also looking at Premier League alternatives.

Sabitzer joined Man Utd on loan from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window. According to Sky Sports, the loan deal does not include an option for Man Utd to buy Sabizter this summer.

Man Utd were forced to sign a new midfielder after finding out that Christian Eriksen would be out for a prolonged period due to an ankle injury.

So far, Sabitzer has made 11 appearances in a Man Utd shirt, registering one goal and one assist. His first goal for the club came in the 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham on March 19. The 29-year-old flicked home from close range when meeting a Luke Shaw pull-back, putting Man Utd 2-1 up.

Sabitzer managed another goal contribution on Wednesday against Brentford. He intelligently headed down an Antony cross into Marcus Rashford’s path, which allowed the forward to smash into the back of the net. That goal proved to be the winner as Man Utd picked up three crucial points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

If Sabitzer continues his good form, then he could convince Ten Hag to launch a big-money offer for his services this summer. But Sabitzer is not the only midfielder Ten Hag is interested in.

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The Dutch coach has also identified Brighton ace Alexis Mac Allister and Southampton talisman James Ward-Prowse as potential recruits.

Wright has made Ten Hag’s decision that bit harder by praising Sabitzer for his performance against Brentford.

Ian Wright lauds Man Utd loanee

“You have to say, Sabitzer came up with the goods,” Wright said on Premier League Productions (via the Daily Mirror). “With the assist and in certain other areas, he was getting into pockets, making some nice little moves and always making himself available.

“He got taken off in the end but I thought he did more than enough tonight in that number 10 position.”

It is unclear which player Ten Hag is leaning towards for that summer move right now. Sabitzer will probably be impressing him, but Mac Allister is also doing very well at Brighton.

Sources in Germany state that Sabitzer is comfortable at Old Trafford and would like to make his loan permanent.

With Man Utd also in the market for a world-class striker, their midfield capture will likely come down to money.

Mac Allister is thought to be valued at between £60-70m. Sabitzer should cost less than this as he was not a regular in the Bayern starting eleven prior to his loan switch. Although, the Bundesliga side may put the price up amid his good performances for Man Utd.

Meanwhile, a pundit has ripped into a Man Utd player and suggested his own team-mates will be getting ‘frustrated’ with him.