Marcel Sabitzer has quickly settled into his new environment at Manchester United ahead of his potential debut on Saturday.
The Austria international is set to go straight into the squad for the home clash with Crystal Palace having completed his loan move from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day, a switch which largely came about because of an injury to United's Christian Eriksen.
Erik ten Hag moved quickly to wrap up a deal for the experienced midfielder, who was on the books at RB Leipzig for seven years prior to his move to Bayern in 2021.
Sabitzer has quickly settled in to his new environment at United, and on Thursday he was spotted chatting to his new team-mates and embracing United forwards' coach Benni McCarthy, who has become a popular figure with the squad after his appointment in the summer.
United's Bruno Fernandes has welcomed the move to bring Sabitzer to the club, but added that he'll have to work hard in order to live up to the standards that are currently being set.
"He’s a good player, a really good midfielder,’ Fernandes said after Wednesday's Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
"He can shoot from outside of the box, he can score great goals. He’ll give us more options in the midfield while Christian is injured.
"He’s another one who’ll make it difficult for everyone in the team to have a place."
Fernandes is expecting Sabitzer to be an important addition, but admits he might find it tough to hold down a place in the side.
"Even for him, he knows he has to push himself to the highest level to be playing for us now and everyone that is starting – for example me, Casemiro and Fred – we know it costs a lot to have a place in the team and we have another one fighting for that position so we have to give our best," he added.
"We’re really happy to have him, we think he can help us. Tomorrow I’ll be with him, I’ll talk a little bit with him and see.
"I think he’s fully fit, he’s been playing, so hopefully he’ll help us a lot."
Sabitzer himself seems up the fight, telling the United website his plans for his loan deal.
“Keep going every single day, put it all out [there] in training sessions, that’s why I’m here.
"I like the way he (Ten Hag) plays, his teams play, he’s a good coach and I’m looking forward to meeting him and playing under him.
“I’m a very bad loser. Even in training, I can’t lose. I have that mentality over the years, I hate to lose.”
“That is my mentality; to go forward, have a voice in the dressing room, on the pitch and give it all. That’s normal for me.”
