Marcel Sabitzer left his own future this summer up for discussion after he scored his first Manchester United goal at the weekend.
“Whatever happens in the summer, we will see,” said Sabitzer, who has clearly benefitted from his spell at Old Trafford after a difficult few months at Bayern Munich.
Just like the deal to bring Wout Weghorst in from Burnley, the terms United negotiated with Bayern were just for a straight loan. There is no option to make it permanent, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
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Burnley and Bayern would both be open to offers for Weghorst and Sabitzer and they would be relatively simple deals to do, given both players are enjoying life under Erik ten Hag. But in both cases, there are reasons for caution as well.
In the case of Sabitzer, his age counts against him more than his ability. He has looked at home in a Ten Hag team and is a versatile option in midfield, but he’s also 29 and the profile of this midfield almost demands a younger addition.
The most likely starting trio - when everyone is fit - is Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. The first two are 31 and Fernandes turns 29 in September. In reserve at the moment are 30-year-old Fred and Sabitzer. To have five first-team midfielders over the age of 29 would clearly be a signal of problems coming down the road.
United do have Scott McTominay, 26, and Donny van de Beek, 26 next month, in the ranks as well, but questions over the long-term futures of both linger. McTominay has attracted interest from Newcastle and Van de Beek has failed to establish himself in the team after three seasons.
It’s clearly too early for an overhaul of this midfield. Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes are good enough to shine again next season, but Ten Hag and football director John Murtough, especially, should have one eye on what comes next and some succession planning.
That is more Murtough’s brief than Ten Hag’s and even if there was interest in Sabitzer this summer, it would be wise for Murtough to caution against it. United might need to sign a midfielder, but it should be someone with a younger profile.
The target is probably competition and backup for the starting trio at the moment, but sign the right player and they could force their way in over time as well.
The most obvious name that springs to mind here is Jude Bellingham, but United’s most pressing concern this summer is a striker. Even if they could somehow find the funds for the England midfielder, they would face competition from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool.
There will be other options. Moises Caicedo, a player of interest to United before he signed for Brighton, is likely to move this summer. Valencia’s USA international Yunus Musah could be another.
Alternatively, United could try again with Frenkie de Jong. The 25-year-old has become a key part of Xavi's plans at Barcelona this season, but their financial problems remain an issue. La Liga have blocked attempts to register Gavi's new deal and as things stand he could leave on a free transfer at the end of June.
That is unlikely, although if it did happen the teenager would have his pick of Europe's elite clubs, but the situation might force La Liga's champions-elect to consider more sales. De Jong would be near the top of that list and United's likely return to the Champions League would assuage any concerns he might have had a year ago.
United pivoted from De Jong to Casemiro back in August, but with the funds available Ten Hag would have had both. The £70million lavished on Casemiro has proved to be money well spent and when everyone is fit they have an excellent midfield at the moment.
But even as he chases success immediately with United, Ten Hag should have one eye on the future. You only need to glance at Liverpool’s struggles in midfield to see the dangers of not having an eye on what comes next.
For Sabitzer that might mean that he’s at the right place, but just at the wrong time.
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