Manchester United decision on Marcel Sabitzer might now be obvious

Sometimes, more often than you might think, greatness comes from a place of panic and disaster. Creativity and inspiration are forged in the fires of limitation.

Manchester United's limitation was time. With 36 hours left of the January transfer window and having thought that all their business was done, the club suddenly had to spring into action. Christian Eriksen, who has been so crucial to Erik ten Hag's transformation of the side, was ruled out for at least three months and would miss most of the season.

United were now low on options and low on quality in the middle. Fred has certainly enjoyed big games this season but remains too inconsistent to be relied upon. Scott McTominay has started once in the league since October. Donny van de Beek is injured. Kobbie Mainoo and Zidane Iqbal are young and inexperienced.

Also read: How United should line up vs Barcelona in Europa League fixture

A quick and quality solution was required and out of the hat United pulled Marcel Sabitzer, a quality midfielder who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich for the rest of the season. The German champions sought out Sabitzer and got him for a steal at £15million in 2021 from rivals RB Leipzig.

The Austrian was a pivotal part of the East German side's rise to prominence after becoming a member of the team in 2015 back when they were still in the second division. He eventually earned the captain's armband and Bayern came sniffing after he finished the season as his side's top goalscorer despite playing in a deep midfield role.

Sabitzer has enjoyed a strong 18 months in Munich and got a title to his name but the competition is incredibly strong, with Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Ryan Gravenberch all ahead of him in the