Manchester United strike late Sabitzer deal after long-term Eriksen injury

Manchester United acted quickly upon learning Christian Eriksen could be sidelined until May with an ankle injury.

The Red Devils confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer on loan until the end of the season after Tuesday's transfer deadline. There's no option to buy written into the deal.

United were reportedly in competition with Chelsea to sign Sabitzer, but the Blues preferred a permanent deal and were occupied with chasing other targets, according to two separate reports from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano and The Independent's Miguel Delaney.

Chelsea sealed a record-breaking move for Benfica's Enzo Fernandez later in the day.

Sabitzer wasn't necessarily the first midfielder on Manchester United's radar. Bayern Munich were reluctant to allow Ryan Gravenberch to join Erik ten Hag's side on loan, and an approach for Youri Tielemans appeared to break down due to the high loan fee requested by Leicester City, according to Delaney.

Sabitzer, 28, has started 15 Bundesliga matches and made a further 25 appearances as a substitute since joining Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig for a reported €16-million fee in August 2021. Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Jamal Musiala have played more minutes in Bayern's central midfield positions than Sabitzer this term.