It is a measure of Marcel Sabitzer’s impact that UEFA’s confirmation of his Europa League suspension has come as a disappointment to Manchester United fans.
Let’s face it, Sabitzer’s loan move from Bayern Munich was hardly box office stuff, the Austrian midfielder having failed to truly establish himself with the German champions. But after Casemiro’s suspension, Sabitzer has stepped up to the plate in two hard-fought contests against Leeds United and been quietly effective.
But three bookings in the Champions League group stages for Bayern means Sabitzer, 28, will miss Thursday’s game against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, even though it is in a different competition.
