Paul Merson believes Manchester United are guilty of making a panic buy (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson believes Manchester United are guilty of making a panic buy in the shape of Marcel Sabitzer.

The Red Devils looked set for a quiet transfer deadline day but have been pressed into emergency action following confirmation of Christian Eriksen’s injury.

United confirmed earlier on Tuesday that the influential midfielder has suffered serious damage to the ankle that he hurt following a horrific challenge from Andy Carroll during last weekend’s FA Cup win over Reading.

Eriksen is likely to be out until the end of April and with no natural replacement on their books, United are set to sign Bayern’s out of favour Sabitzer as cover.

The 28-year-old has struggled to hold down a first team role since his move from RB Leipzig 18 months ago and Merson has questioned whether a player who can’t get into Bayern’s first XI is good enough for Erik ten Hag’s improving United side.

He told Sky Sports: ‘He doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team as the manager said, he’s way off that. I know the two in midfield are cemented but if he was that good, he’d be pushing.

‘Again it goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1, now it’s a panic, Eriksen’s just got injured and it’s a panic and you’re bringing fourth rate Bayern Munich players in. For me I’m not sure about that.

Marcel Sabitzers is set to join Manchester United on transfer deadline day (Picture: Getty)

‘This lad wasn’t on the radar before, he doesn’t’ get in the Bayern Munich team. If I’m a Manchester United fan I’d be looking and thinking he’s not in their first team so why would we want him in our team. Are there players there already who are better than him?’

Meanwhile, when asked about the possibility of bolstering his midfield options before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening, Ten Hag admitted any move for United would be ‘difficult’.

‘Of course he’s disappointed about it, we are disappointed about it but it happens in top football, it did and we have to deal with it,’ Ten Hag said on Tuesday. On deadline day it’s difficult, you can’t make policy on such bad injuries.

‘We have players in the midfield department, good players, we have players who can fill the gap.

‘I think you can never fill that [gap] because every player has his own characteristics and identity. Another player will fill it in a different way but that doesn’t mean you have to be less successful.

‘It’s quite clear that Cristian Eriksen for our squad brings top quality, especially he has some specifics which are hard to replace, for instance his impact in the final third with the final ball.’

MORE : Jadon Sancho set for return to Manchester United matchday squad for first time since October

MORE : Erik ten Hag offers update on Anthony Elanga and Facundo Pellistri as Man Utd consider deadline day moves

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