Erik ten Hag is about to reveal his Marcel Sabitzer plan at Manchester United

Marcel Sabitzer and Casemiro are like ships in the night for Manchester United right now.

Championship side Reading barely made a dent on United during their FA Cup fourth round showdown at Old Trafford last month, but their bruising frontman Andy Carroll certainly did as his reckless challenge put Christian Eriksen on the treatment table until April at the very least.

With so many important matches to follow - and United still charging on four fronts - that unsavoury moment and diagnosis was met with a collective wince. But the show had to go on.

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Erik ten Hag knew it and United moved quickly to bring in Sabitzer on loan from German heavyweights Bayern Munich. It was certainly no panic buy - as proven by his early outings - but it did come as a surprise.

It underlined a fresh attitude that has developed at Old Trafford under Ten Hag this campaign. United did not dwell on their setback, they simply rolled with the punches, before almost dealing out a few of their own when Casemiro was sent off against Crystal Palace.

For those who discredit Fred and Scott McTominay as starting options, watching Sabitzer zip up his tracksuit against the Eagles a few days on from his arrival was seen as the precursor. In no time, it was thought, he was set to be deployed alongside the Brazilian powerhouse in what had been a problematic area for United before Ten Hag arrived.

Eriksen, Casemiro and Sabitzer. Ten Hag is three for three when it comes to midfield recruits.

With a debut cameo to follow, Sabitzer was still seated when Casemiro decided to throttle Will Hughes as he collected a red card for his troubles. It was questioned, but not contested, as Ten Hag and United were forced to go on