Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has decided not to sign on-loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on a permanent basis, according to a new report.
Sabitzer joined United in January from Bayern Munich, with the temporary deal hastily arranged after a serious injury to Christian Eriksen.
The Austrian midfielder started his first game for United in a 2-2 draw against Leeds on February 8, and netted his first goal in the 2-1 win over Fulham in an FA Cup quarter-final tie over a month later.
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Sabitzer then scored a brace in the first leg of United's Europa League quarter-final clash against Sevilla.
At that point, attention had turned to the 29-year-old potentially sealing a long-term stay at Old Trafford - and Sabitzer himself appeared to indicate that he would be happy to do so.
He told Bild in April: "I can say for myself, I have found my place here. I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense and tougher.
"Every game is a fight, everything goes faster. This is the best league in the world."
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However, the midfielder's season was ended early due to injury, and he did not feature in any of his side's last four Premier League games. He is also set to miss Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Now, United have reportedly come to a decision over his future.
Sabitzer 'not staying at Man Utd'
According to the Daily Mail, Ten Hag has elected not to make the loan signings of Sabitzer or forward Wout Weghorst permanent this summer.
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It is claimed that the Dutchman would prefer to invest resources into players that can upgrade his squad at Old Trafford, rather than those currently at the club.
The upcoming departure of Weghorst further signals United's ambition to sign an elite centre forward, in order to reduce the goalscoring burden placed on Marcus Rashford.
For Sabitzer, he will return to Bayern Munich at the end of the season. He was loaned out while Julian Nagelsmann was in charge at the Allianz Arena, but the Austrian may be given a second chance to impress under the management of Thomas Tuchel.
The Manchester Evening News claim that confirmation of Sabitzer's return to Bayern is 'expected' in the coming days.
Topics: Manchester United, Marcel Sabitzer, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag, Wout Weghorst, Bayern Munich, Transfers
Ryan Smart