Manchester United acted swiftly and decisively to line up a move for Marcel Sabitzer on transfer deadline day.
Sabitzer fills a need created by Christian Eriksen’s injury, with the Dane set to be out until April.
The move is a very sensible one for the Red Devils, landing a 28-year-old midfielder with Champions League and international experience.
On a short-term move, United could not have done much better. However, there is no pleasing some people…
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Merson slams Sabitzer move
Sky Sports wheeled out pundit Paul Merson for his view on Marcel Sabitzer’s potential move to Old Trafford.
Merson said that because Sabitzer is not a regular for Bayern Munich, he is not good enough for United.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: “He doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team, he’s way off that. I know they’ve (Bayern) got the two in midfield cemented but if he was that good, he would be pushing.
“It goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1, now its a panic. Eriksen’s just got injured, your bringing fourth-rate Bayern Munich players in, I’m not sure about that.”
Merson’s assessment is very harsh, and shows little understanding of Manchester United’s situation.
Firstly there is no money available for big permanent deals. This is due to major spending being placed on hold due to a planned sale of the club. So everything has to be viewed in that context.
United have actually acted shrewdly to move for Sabitzer, landing a high calibre player at the last minute.
And yes, if he was starring regularly for Bayern, they would not let him go, but he is no slouch either, he has made 23 appearances for the German side this season, just 11 as a starter.
Sabitzer is about as smart a deal as United could have struck at this late stage to replace Eriksen, whose injury was unexpected. There really is no pleasing everybody.
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