Marcel Sabitzer: Manchester United loan signing scout report

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Manchester United dipped into the loan market on deadline day in the January 2023 transfer window after they were hit with the news that Christian Eriksen was set to miss most of the rest of the season through injury. Erik ten Hag turned to Bayern Munich to find both quality and a player who was available on a short-term deal that suits all parties.

With a space having opened up in United's starting 11, Sabitzer now has half a season to convince Ten Hag that he is worthy of a permanent deal. United and Ten Hag will be desperate that Sabitzer can plug the rather large gap that Eriksen's absence leaves in their midfield.

Here, we take a look at what the Austrian international brings to Old Trafford.

Technical analysis

Sabitzer is a versatile right-footed player with experience in a variety of positions across the pitch. He can play in central midfield, as a wide attacker, or between the lines as attacking support underneath a centre-forward. His ability to connect with attackers, especially those running in behind or working into effective attacking positions, helps his team progress up the pitch and penetrate opposing back lines (below). As a result, many of his attacking involvements come in the pass before the assist, with his work in the inside channels key.

Sabitzer’s ability to move on the blind side of opponents, exploit gaps in the opposition’s midfield and penetrate with forward runs of his own enhances his ability to progress play into the final third. When dropping to receive from a higher starting position, however, he doesn’t always adjust his feet in time; if there aren’t immediate supporting movements from teammates, he can sometimes lose possession.

With time on the ball, though, the Austrian has an impressive passing range. As well as line-breaking passes forward, his switches to wide players on either side of the pitch are effective in breaking over an opposing block – particularly against narrowed midfield units. He generates impressive power from minimal backlift, both on long passes and shots from the edge of the area – although he has never been a regular goalscorer.

Sabitzer is accomplished in delivering crosses for teammates, mostly with his right foot and looking for back-post runners. On the right in particular, he can hold his width and cross around the outside of an opposing full-back. His versatility extends to the inside channels, whether he starts wide or in central midfield; either way, he can shape his movements into the right inside channel and deliver outswinging balls from similar areas to those in which Bruno Fernandes or Kevin De Bruyne operate. From the left inside channel, his crosses become inswingers but still tend to look for runners at the far post (below). They can then take direct efforts on goal or cut back for a second-phase finish.

Out of possession

Without the ball, Sabitzer is effective at delaying attacks, whether by jumping from midfield to press and stop immediate forward progress or tackling his direct opponent. He screens forward passes well, which allows others to back-press and double up on the opposing player in possession (below). He is strong in the air, and adept at collecting second or loose balls. Defending larger spaces in one-on-one situations can cause him problems, though. Skilful, agile attackers are able to twist and progress past him, although he does then work hard to recover and press from behind.

Playing on the right flank

Before his move to Bayern Munich, Sabitzer spent six seasons as a key part of RB Leipzig’s midfield unit. Although used in a variety of positions, he spent the majority of his time on the right of the midfield. The width he provided in attack was especially useful in that he allowed central midfielders such as Konrad Laimer or Kevin Kampl to make penetrative runs through the inside channel (below). His position also meant he could get close to the right-back; they often worked together to create overloads and chances to cross.

This proved key in Leipzig’s attacking play, as the winger and full-backs on both sides were key to the team getting into the final third. Whenever two centre-forwards were used – especially in the period when Sabitzer played under Julian Nagelsmann – there was a greater central presence for Sabitzer and the right-back to target with crosses.

Sabitzer’s vision and passing ability mean he can find narrow runs through the inside channel from central-midfield teammates, or switch play to the winger or full-back on the far side. In Sabitzer’s time at Leipzig under Ralph Hasenhüttl and Ralf Rangnick, in particular, his forward passing and ability to quickly connect into penetrating runners helped the team attack at speed in transition. This worked to heap pressure on the opposition with a relentless wave of direct attacks, which were a core part of the philosophy of both coaches. Sabitzer’s ability to delay central attacks wasn’t needed as much out wide, but he intelligently presses play inside to help funnel attacks into crowded areas.

Central midfield

Towards the end of Sabitzer’s spell with Leipzig, and during his recent spell with Bayern Munich, Sabitzer occupied a central-midfield role. Here, he has proven his ability to receive from the centre-backs in crowded areas and move play on to the attacking midfielders (below). He also showed that he can receive even higher in a central area and act as the link to players advancing out wide and moving in behind.

In Nagelsmann’s 4-2-3-1 shape, Sabitzer has been used in the double pivot, usually alongside Joshua Kimmich. As Kimmich tends to drop towards the centre-backs, Bayern will often flip between a double and a single pivot during build-up. Although Sabitzer will sometimes drop short to receive, this is usually done to the side of the centre-backs to allow the full-backs – Alphonso Davies, Benjamin Pavard or Noussair Mazraoui – to advance.

With Kimmich more often the one to drop, Bayern will often use a 1-2 central-midfield structure when in possession, with the number 10 – Thomas Müller or Jamal Musiala – moving to the other side to become another number eight. From here, Sabitzer supports the team’s move through the inside channel, and provides crosses or an outball through which the team can switch play.

He has a very good understanding of his importance to the team when possession is lost. If he is close enough to the ball he will counter-press with intensity; if not, he will make a quick recovery run back into the double pivot. From there, he is more likely to be the player who jumps out to press, often doing do in the wide areas, while Kimmich retains his position in front of the defence.

Sabitzer brings diligence and technical ability to Old Trafford. Though he may only turn out to be a temporary stopgap, he will certainly ensure Christian Eriksen’s absence has less impact on the team in 2022/23.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice