Manchester United
Premier League • England
Marcel Sabitzer reveals chances of turning Man Utd loan into permanent switch after sink or swim initiation
Marcel Sabitzer admits that he is keeping a completely open mind over the possibility of turning his loan spell at Manchester United into a permanent switch in the summer.
The Austria international midfielder arrived at Old Trafford as an emergency signing on deadline day, joining from German giants Bayern Munich until the end of the season after the Red Devils lost Christian Eriksen to a long-term ankle injury.
Sabitzer was thrown straight into the deep end after Casemiro added to Eriksen’s absence by being red-carded and subsequently banned for three games.
That forced the 28-year-old Sabitzer to start back-to-back games against an intense Leeds United side in the space of just five days.
The midfielder is due to return to Germany at the end of the campaign. But Sabitzer has been speaking about what the future holds for him and his chances of actually making the move permanent.
Speaking after the 2-0 win at Elland Road on Sunday, he said: “It’s a loan at the moment, that’s all I can say.
“I like it here. I’m feeling very good here. I like the team, I like the club, the atmosphere in Old Trafford. We will see what happens in the summer.
“It’s been a busy few days. I had to come in quick but I enjoy it. I like it so far. The team welcome me very well.
“It was a bit of a cold start but I had to step in quick because of the Casemiro suspension. I’m ready for that and happy playing.
“You can feel it. From the first moment on, I felt very good in the team – good spirit, good goals, we’re a good team. It’s fun.
“The manager talking to me a lot, what he’s expecting from me. I try to fulfil that. I’m feeling good with him and his tactics and I like it so far.”
Loan star coming to terms with life at United
Sabitzer admits he is still coming to terms with the intensity of English football, although two quick games against a fast-paced Leeds team will do that to you.
He added: “Leeds away, as United, it’s a big game. You have to win this game.
“We were ready for that, the intensity was good, we were good in the game. We missed a bit on Wednesday so we wanted to do it better, we did that.
“We knew before it would be two tough games. In the Premier League, you have a lot of transition, you have to keep focused until the end. We did that quite well, we gave them no chance.”
United are back in action on Thursday night when they head to Barcelona in the Europa League knockout stages.