What will Marcel Sabitzer bring to Manchester United?
With Christian Eriksen out and Scott Mctominay injured it was important for Ten Hag to get cover in midfield with a player who has mainly played as a 6 for most of his career
He's actually been used quite sparingly for Bayern under Nagelsmann only completing 2 full 90s in the current season and one the season before which was actually to provide cover at LB, as he's capable of playing LW, RW or AM too
Predominantly though he's a central midfielder and will slot in as a 6 next to Casemiro. What struck me first of all in watching him is the amount he receives from defence, showing for the ball often like Eriksen does in the 3-1-6 which will fit perfectly
It made me smile to see him take up the receiving position like Eriksen. What this will provide is a perfect rotation with Casemiro just like Eriksen does, receiving from defence and then passing the ball out to begin the move either through the lines or wide
There's been instances when he has been the midfielder to smoothly begin the attack as the lone 6 but his passing isn't necessarily known for being diamond cutter progressive, it's more short link-up play, showing freely for the ball then keeping the play moving patiently
In this sense he can fulfil the role Eriksen did and slot in seamlessly or take up a more advanced position when Casemiro wants to do this instead as Eriksen has in the front 'six' in attack, basically his positional sense will be easy for him to fit in
He isn't bad at finding players when receiving from defence but may need to improve centrally in his progression when picking the ball up in the half-spaces, he will know the role positionally but sometimes when pressed he isn't the best at progressing the ball over distances
Something he does offer that Eriksen might not is a little more mobile, energetic, dynamism so when he does lose the ball he's pressing to win it back and lay it off to a team mate
The pass in his locker that he does have is the switch of play out wide when receiving from defence, this will be brilliant as United have utilised the inverted full-back/winger a lot this season, so when teams have been dragged to one side he can quickly find the spare wide man
When for instance maybe Diogo Dalot slots into midfield it occupies the full-back who will mark him leaving Antony free wide for Sabitzer to pick out
Another one of his trademarks is the chipped cross to the back post either in the half-spaces or wide for the striker or wide winger to latch onto
He is already aware of the role of receiving from defence and then successfully trying to funnel the ball to attack and will learn to get better under Ten Hag but he can offer a lot of energy in terms of defending more and winning tackles
His mobility does mean he is capable of just having more lungs than Eriksen. Eriksen is a potent attacking option too, but Sabitzer can also make runs in behind with his stamina and join the attack, there is a little more for him to offer than just being the player to progress
In terms of shooting, you can click on a lot of his Youtube comps to see he's capable of a long range goal and also isn't afraid to let fly, maybe another facet that he can add a little differently (not too many brilliant long-range shooters for Utd)
With the injuries, financial constraints and considering he was out of favour at Bayern the signing makes complete sense as he can fill many positions, fill the role of Eriksen and also provide a little more dynamism in attack and defence
End of thread!
All comments appreciated let me know what you think of Sabitzer, and will be covering more football and United in the substack:
dharnish.substack.com
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