Marcel Sabitzer can see himself making his loan move from Bayern Munich to Man Utd into a permanent transfer, according to reports.
The Austria international signed on loan until the end of the season in January after Christian Eriksen picked up a bad injury earlier in the season.
Sabitzer has been a solid addition so far with the 29-year-old proving extremely useful with Casemiro recently suspended for four matches.
with Bruno Fernandes dropping deeper to play alongside Scott McTominay.
Sabitzer got the assist for Marcus Rashford’s 28th goal of the season in all competitions and Man Utd are considering a permanent move for the Bayern Munich midfielder.
And Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that Sabitzer ‘can imagine joining’ Man Utd on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.
The journalist goes on to say on Twitter that there is ‘nothing decided’ but that ‘decisive talks will follow [in the] next weeks’.
Sabitzer’s ‘return to Munich unlikely at this stage’ and Plettenberg adds ‘that many clubs of the Premier League inquired about him’.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson was far from convinced by United’s move for Sabitzer in the winter window.
Merson told Sky Sports: “He doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team. He’s way off that. Their two in midfield is cemented but if he was that good, he’d be pushing. So again it goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1st. Now, it’s a panic buy.
“Eriksen has just got injured. It’s a panic. You’re buying fourth-choice Bayern Munich players. For me, I’m not sure about that. He doesn’t get into the Bayern Munich team.
“If I’m a Manchester United fan or a Chelsea fan, I’d be looking and going, he doesn’t get anywhere near Bayern’s first team. So if he’s not playing in their first team, why would we want him in our club? Is he going to make us better? Is there players there already who should be better than him? In my opinion, yes.”
But Rio Ferdinand defended the signing at the time, he hit back: “I’m absolutely delighted. If I was to say that I could go and get as short-term replacement at the drop of a hat for Eriksen, Sabitzer is a player who you would have gone ‘ooh, If I can get him, I’ll take him’.
“Yeah, he’s gone to Bayern Munich and he hasn’t become a regular there, but I think he will be a really good signing. A really experienced player, he’s played in big games, he knows his way around a football pitch.
“That just stinks, for me, that Paul Merson hasn’t seen him play, wouldn’t know if he’s left or right-footed. You can’t say that he’s a bad signing because you don’t get signed by Bayern Munich if you’re a chump.
“Man United couldn’t have done any better, so well done to their recruitment team.”