Marcel Sabitzer joined Manchester United on loan from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United have told Marcel Sabitzer he has a chance of moving a permanent move to the club if he impresses during his loan spell.
Long-term injuries sustained by Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek forced Erik ten Hag to dip into the transfer market last month.
United moved late in the window to bolster their midfield options with the experienced Sabitzer, out of favour at Bayern Munich, identified as an ideal shor-term solution.
There is no obligation to buy in the Austria’s contract but, according to ESPN, Ten Hag is hopeful that the incentive of a longer stay at Old Trafford will inspire the 28-year-old to play a major role in the run-in.
United are still in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League, despite two dropped points at home against Leeds, and will look to end their near six-year wait for a trophy against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
A glamour Europa League tie against Barcelona is also on the horizon and Sabitzer is likely to feature heavily in the coming weeks having earned his first start in midweek.
Ten Hag revealed earlier this month that he is already planning for the summer transfer window and beyond, although his original strategy has been altered by the emergence of youngster Alejandro Garnacho.
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When asked if United need to permanently sign a new central midfielder in the summer, Ten Hag replied: ‘I think our summer plans, we have an idea on the long-term [plans].
‘You will also look two, three windows ahead and so we have that long-term plan. But also, you have to revisit that plan every time because of developments.
‘For instance, who could have expected this development with Garnacho? And so this changes your approach to the window.’
Ten Hag is also adamant that he is planning to rebuild United over several years.
‘I always think about the long term, in every club where I was, I have been thinking about long-term work to build a culture, to build a way of playing, to develop the players and the team obviously,’ said the United manager.
‘I think in the long term obviously in contracts and in windows, because I think that is the [right] way.
‘Thinking about the long term and acting in the long way and so I stay also with many clubs a long time compared to nowadays. I am not here for one year, I am longer, I see it is a long-term project. To build here and how long it is you can’t see, I cant tell.’
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The Austria international joined on loan from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day.
