Paul Merson has already called Man Utd transfer target Marcel Sabitzer a 'panic buy'

Marcel Sabitzer to Manchester United is a "panic buy", according to Paul Merson, who has played down the potential deadline day signing in a live segment on Sky Sports.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder, who has made 24 appearances for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich this season, has been identified as a short-term option by Erik ten Hag.

With Christian Eriksen sidelined for three months with an ankle injury, United have made late enquiries for a midfielder on what would be a loan deal until the end of the season.

And it appears they have landed on the Austria international, who has told the club through his agents that he would be "more than happy" to join Ten Hag’s project, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Sabitzer, who has been described as a leader, both on and off the pitch, can create opportunities from deep and is versatile.

But someone who isn't impressed with the former RB Leipzig midfielder is Paul Merson, who says Manchester United have 'panicked' at the last minute following Eriksen's injury in their FA Cup win over Reading.

"He doesn't get in the Bayern Munich team, as the manager just said. He's way off that," Merson told Sky Sports.

"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."

There isn’t a better box to box midfielder in the Premier League than Marcel Sabitzer. This move actual makes sense #MUFC

pic.twitter.com/txzIpo3BJm

— Blessed (@BlessedUtd) January 31, 2023

Merson didn't stop there, either. "This lad wasn't on the radar before," the former Arsenal midfielder said.

"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?"

He added: "Is he going to make us better? Is there players there already who should be better than him? In my opinion, yes."

Sabitzer was initially linked with a move to Chelsea but it appears they have no interest in hijacking United's deal to sign the midfielder.

Thoughts on the Sabitzer to United links? Let us know in the comments.

Transfer deadline day LIVE: Latest news and rumours ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline.