Man Utd considered two other midfielders before deciding on Marcel Sabitzer

Manchester United reportedly considered two other midfielders before deciding to go for Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

The Red Devils decided to make a move for a midfielder on deadline day following news of Christian Eriksen's injury.

Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches after going off injured in Saturday's 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup. Andy Carroll went through the back of the Denmark international, who somehow escaped a booking.

United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed Eriksen would be out until April or May on Tuesday before conceding drafting in a replacement at short notice is unlikely.

The United hierarchy appears to have delivered. United are confident of completing the loan signing of Sabitzer before this evening's 11pm deadline.

Sabitzer has told the club, via his agents, he is eager to join as Ten Hag searches for his first piece of silverware as manager.

The 28-year-old has featured 15 times in the Bundesliga this season, scoring once. According to The Independent, other options were available including another Bayern star.

Bayern completed the signing of Ryan Gravenberch in the summer and many expected the youngster to become a regular at the Allianz Stadium.

He's not played as much as he'd have liked, not starting a single game in the league this year. All 12 of his appearances have come from the bench. Despite that, Bayern were hesitant to let the Netherlands international depart on loan this month.

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Premier League fans will be familiar with the second option. Leicester City man Youri Tielemans' contract expires in the summer and is open to leaving the King Power Stadium.

The fee involved likely would've been too high for the Belgium international. Arsenal had also been linked with a move for Tielemans before settling on Jorginho.

When asked about United's midfield options, Ten Hag spoke fondly of the current options at his disposal.

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He said: "I think you can never fill that (gap) because every player has his own characteristics and identity, another player will always fill in in a different way but it doesn't mean you have to be less successful.

"It's quite clear Christian Eriksen brings top quality to our squad and especially, he has some specifics that are hard to replace, for instance his impacts in the final third with his final ball.

"I think you mentioned already in your first sentence he (Fred)'s playing together with Casemiro in the Brazil squad. I would say there's not a worse squad in the world!"