Manchester United supporters have shared their concern over the club’s available midfield options ahead of Newcastle on Sunday after Marcel Sabitzer picked up an injury while on Austria duty.
The Bayern Munich loanee netted twice in his country’s 4-1 Euro 2024 qualifier win over Azerbaijan on Friday, one of which was a sumptuous free-kick while wearing the armband.
The midfielder featured for 75 minutes before being withdrawn, playing with knee pain according to Austria head coach and former United interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Sabitzer, though, could still take part in Monday's match with Estonia despite missing the squad’s latest training session due to his issue.
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"In the end, it is a question of pain and pain tolerance for both Marcel and Gernot [Trauner, defender]," Rangnick said. "Of course, we hope that Marcel will do well, especially after that first game in Linz.
"At the moment, I'm optimistic that it can work but, at the end of the day, it's also a question of whether Marcel feels ready for it himself. At the moment, I am assuming he'll play. It made more sense to leave them out [of the session] again, just to give them one more day.”
United are currently low on midfield options with Casemiro due to continue his four-game domestic ban following his red card against Southampton and Christian Eriksen, whom Sabitzer was brought in to cover, still out injured.
Many United fans on Twitter have pointed out how further aggravation to Sabitzer’s problem could see Fred and Scott McTominay line-up together in Sunday’s important clash with Newcastle, a partnership that was heavily criticised last season.
@JuliusUtd_: Back to watching McFred again.
@Floarin_John: McFred is the greatest inevitable duo in club football. Dread it run from it, it will surely catch up to you.
@Ahm3__d: So the midfielder we signed to replace an injured midfielder has now injured himself....
@Hagannn: Can’t believe I’m going to watch McFred against Newcastle away.
Meanwhile, others aimed tongue-in-cheek shots at Rangnick, whose short tenure at United is also viewed dismally after overseeing the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish last season.
@WaitingForDalot: Rangnick still hurting United.
@_Topguy: Ralf??? Haven’t you done enough??
@ari_nze0: Rangnick is still haunting us from Austria? What have we done to this man?
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