Presenter Mark Goldbridge has claimed that Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer needs to do more to earn a permanent move to the club.
How has Sabitzer played for Man United?
The Austrian arrived on loan on deadline day in January following a long-term injury to Christian Eriksen, and has had a quiet start to life at Old Trafford.
He is yet to score or assist in his three Premier League starts, and appeared off the bench as United won the Carabao Cup, and it remains to be seen whether the club will keep him beyond his initial loan from Bayern Munich.
Speaking on The United Stand following United’s FA Cup victory over West Ham, Goldbridge claimed that Sabitzer has to start showing more if United are to make his move permanent.
“It’s interesting with Sabitzer so because people keep saying ‘I’d give him a contract in the summer.’ I want to get to the point where we give him a contract in the summer, but right here right now, we’re not going to give a contract to somebody that’s behind Fred, behind Casemiro and will be behind Eriksen, so he’s therefore fourth choice at best. So we’ve got to get more out of him,” he stated.
“It’s early days, but we’ve got to get more out of him, otherwise it won’t be a permanent move whether he wants it or not. So we’re not at that point for me yet. I’d like him to get there. I like the player. He’s got to settle and he’s got to grab a first-team slot.”
Should United keep Sabitzer?
During his performance yesterday he lost five duels and lost possession eight times. However, he did manage two key passes, a passing accuracy percentage of 79, two tackles and one interception (Sofascore).
Erik ten Hag looks set to splash the cash on a new striker in the summer, with Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane linked, and given that the midfield also needs reinforcing, Sabitzer could be an easy addition for depth.
At 28, he may not be a long-term option in the midfield even if he becomes a starter, and whilst it may be an easy deal to do, there may be younger or better alternatives that United could sign instead of Sabitzer.