Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer made a successful debut at the weekend when he came off the bench against Crystal Palace.
The on loan signing from Bayern Munich looked comfortable in a high-pressure situation, earning praise from his manager Erik ten Hag.
Sabitzer was also lauded by his new teammates, and David de Gea said he is confident the midfielder can step up with Casemiro suspended.
United will be relying on the loanee, who will likely form a three-man midfield against Leeds in midweek with Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
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Wenger praise of Sabitzer
Sabitzer had a difficult time at Bayern Munich due to Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich being in front of him in the pecking order. This is ultimately what allowed Manchester United to sign him.
This does not denounce Sabitzer’s quality – despite Paul Merson’s ludicrous assessment that Sabitzer was a ‘fourth-rate’ player.
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Merson’s old Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is among Sabitzer’s admirers. He praised the midfielder in an interview in December with SPOX Austria.
Wenger was discussing the Austrian national team and picked out Sabitzer and RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.
He said: “I particularly like the midfield with Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer – two players who are very strong both with and without the ball.
“They move very cleverly between the lines and are also physically impressive.”
It is Sabitzer’s physicality which will help him make a quick adjustment to the Premier League. He appeared to settle right
Wenger also incidentally had kind things to say about former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who is Sabitzer’s manager for Austria.
The Frenchman commented: “Ralf is not only a coach, he is also a kind of visionary. He is the right person to take Austria to the next level of development. That he has a good eye for young, talented players, will ensure that Austria becomes even more competitive.”