03 February 2023 , 12:28
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Manchester United 's staff compiled a list of 10 deadline day transfer targets as they utilised their "emergency protocol" before signing Marcel Sabitzer.
The Red Devils were expecting to have a quiet January despite there being areas of the squad that need addressing. They spent more than they anticipated in the summer, but an injury to Christian Eriksen meant they had to act late on to ensure they had sufficient cover.
The Dane will be sidelined for months, rather than weeks, and negotiations with Bayern Munich were swift as they added the Austrian. Football director John Murtough led a team that included deputy football director Andy O'Boyle, director of data science Dominic Jordan and head of recruitment operations Steve Brown to quick draw up potential arrivals.
Ten Hag was presented with a list of 10 names on Monday - all of them deemed to be available and capable of performing for United. Discussions with Bayern were aided by their relationship, something Murtough has tried to build with a host of top sides in Europe.
Sources told ESPN that finalising a loan until June for Sabitzer was like "pushing at an open door" and the player will now compete with the likes of Casemiro, Fred and Scott McTominay for a spot in midfield. Eriksen and Casemiro has been Ten Hag's preferred duo so far this term.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
The Dutchman was asked before deadline day whether he was expecting new arrivals: "As a manager, I think you always try to find ways to make your team better. I wouldn't be a good manager if I didn't. If there are opportunities, it's my job to tell the club there are opportunities to strengthen our team."
Marcel Sabitzer made a deadline day switch to Manchester (Manchester United via Getty Imag)After getting Sabitzer through the door Ten Hag said on Wednesday: "We're really happy with the transfer because we need it. To bring a quality player in on deadline day, that is difficult, but we got this opportunity." United had considered moving for Sabitzer when he was at RB Leipzig.
United also accepted that, whilst they knew January would be a quiet month in terms of incomings, they needed to back Ten Hag. They have a congested fixture list from now until the end of the season but that comes as a result of the Dutchman's success with the club still fighting on four fronts.
The Dutchman, through conversations with the club's top brass, made it known that he didn't want any potential success in his first year hampered by a lack of depth, thus convincing them to go into the market having also signed Wout Weghorst on loan.