Hasan Salihamidzic, the CEO of Sporting at Bayern Munich, outlined the reasons the German powerhouses permitted Marcel Sabitzer to sign with Manchester United on the final day of the transfer window.
Following an agreement between two of Europe's top teams, the 28-year-old has joined the Red Devils on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.
Christian Eriksen's ankle injury will keep him out of play until April, so the 20-time league champions moved quickly to sign the Austrian midfielder on a temporary basis.
Ralf Rangnick, the former interim manager of United, currently manages the former Red Bull Leipzig midfielder at the international level. This season, the player has made 24 appearances for Bayern across all competitions.
After six years at Leipzig, where he developed a name for himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe, the 68-time Austrian international moved to the Allianz Arena in 2021.
He has garnered 54 appearances for Bayern since joining the perennial Bundesliga champions, contributing two goals and two assists.
Salihamidzic explained to the club's website why Bayern let Sabitzer to transfer to Old Trafford, "Manchester United expressed an interest in Marcel Sabitzer at the beginning of the week.
“Marcel told us he would like more playing time and he’s confident he will get that at United."
“After consultation with our coach Julian Nagelsmann, we accepted the request and have loaned Marcel to Manchester United until 30 June. We wish him every success for the second half of the season with United.”
Nagelsmann coached Marcel Sabitzer at RB Leipzig, and he is under contract with Bayern until 2025.
The 28 year old found himself falling down the pecking order at Allianz Arena and swiftly accepted a switch to Old Trafford following Christian Eriksen's 3 months injury update.
Sabitzer recounted how he was obliged to make a hurried personal decision on the move but is confident he did the right thing after a hasty trip to United on the deadline day.
"Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions," Sabitzer told the club website after his move was concluded.
"From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me. I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season."
"I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans."
With 443 club appearances in his career in Europe, including 54 since joining FC Bayern from RB Leipzig, Sabitzer was deemed to be the best option.
The 28-year-old was eager to transfer and arrived in Manchester on Tuesday after taking a flight from Germany. By the deadline of 11 p.m., United submitted the contract document and finished his loan move. The entire process is believed to have lasted 12 hours in total.
After Donny van der Beek's season-ending knee surgery and the two-week absence of Scott McTominay due to a muscle injury, he will provide further the much needed depth to Manchester United's midfield.
Manchester United's football director John Murtough also made some positive remarks regarding the Austrian international's loan move to Old Trafford.
"Marcel is a player that we have watched for a long time. The opportunity arose quickly, and we knew that he was someone with the ability and character to make an impact," he stated.
"He adds further quality to our squad and experience to the dressing room, and all of us are pleased to be welcoming him to Manchester United."
Marcel Sabitzer might make his Manchester United debut in Saturday's Premier League match against Crystal Palace, however his jersey number has not yet been determined.
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