Manchester United have advertised shirts in their online clubs bearing the name of Marcel Sabitzer, fuelling suggestions the loanee's move is being made permanent.
Sabitzer joined on loan from Bayern Munich at the end of the January transfer window, helping give United extra midfield depth after an injury to Christian Eriksen. The Austrian international scored three goals in 18 games for Erik ten Hag's side, including a brace against Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The 29-year-old was one of three January signings - all on temporary deals - and the others will not be at Old Trafford next season. Goalkeeper Jack Butland is set to join Rangers in July after his contract with parent club Crystal Palace expires, while striker Wout Weghorst is due to return to Burnley.
"Very interesting that you can buy a ‘Sabitzer 15’ shirt but not a ‘Weghorst 27’," one fan wrote on Twitter. "Also interesting that you can’t buy a ‘Garnacho 49’ either…."
There have been suggestions Garnacho, who wore the number 75 shirt for his debut in the 2021-22 season and switched to 49 last term, could change his number again. Weghorst's old number 27, meanwhile, is listed in the club shop with Alex Telles' name attached despite the left-back spending last season out on loan.
"Maybe he’s staying after all??" another fan said in response to the Sabitzer listing. "If not @ManUtd have f**ked up."
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Sabitzer struggled for regular minutes at Bayern last season and spoke about a potential permanent move to Old Trafford in February. Since then, though, the Bundesliga champions parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann and brought in Thomas Tuchel as manager.
"It’s a loan at the moment, that’s all I can say," Sabitzer said just weeks after moving to England. "I like it here, I’m feeling very good here, I like the team, I like the club, the atmosphere in Old Trafford. We will see what happens in the summer.
"It's been a busy few days. I had to come in quick but I enjoy it. I like it so far. The team welcome me very well. It was a bit of a cold start but I had to step in quick because of the Casemiro suspension. I'm ready for that and happy playing.
"You can feel it. From the first moment on, I felt very good in the team – good spirit, good goals, we're a good team. It's fun. The manager talking to me a lot, what he's expecting from me. I try to fulfil that. I'm feeling good with him and his tactics and I like it so far."
