Man Utd: Rio Ferdinand criticizes Paul Merson in response to Marcel Sabitzer’s transfer

Rio Ferdinand has hit out at Paul Merson after the Arsenal legend questioned Manchester United deadline-day signing Marcel Sabitzer.

United quickly began searching for midfield reinforcements after discovering Christian Eriksen would be out for around three months with an ankle injury.

The injury blow risked leaving Erik ten Hag short but Manchester United completed a loan deal for Austria midfielder Sabitzer on deadline day to compensate for Eriksen’s absence.

Sabitzer, 28, is on loan from Bayern Munich to United until the end of the current campaign.

The Austrian played at RB Leipzig for six successful seasons before moving on to Bayern in the summer of 2021, but Merson questioned his qualifications when United began negotiations, calling it a “panic buy.”

Merson told Sky Sports, “He doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team, he’s well off that.” I am aware that the two midfielders are set, but if he were that excellent, he would be pushing.

‘Again it goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1, now it’s a panic, Eriksen’s just got injured and it’s a panic and you’re bringing fourth rate Bayern Munich players in. For me, I’m not sure about that.

‘This lad wasn’t on the radar before, he doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team. If I’m a Manchester United fan I’d be looking and thinking he’s not in their first team so why would we want him in our team. Are there players there already who are better than him?’

Ferdinand, though, vehemently disagrees with Merson’s assessment of Sabitzer and claims that the criticism comes from someone who hasn’t ever seen the player play.

‘I am absolutely delighted with it,’ Ferdinand said on the FIVE YouTube channel. ‘If I was trying to get a short-term replacement for Eriksen at the drop of a hat, Sabitzer is the player I would get.

‘I watched a hell of a lot of this player when he was at RB Leipzig and he was sensational. He was integral to everything they did.

‘Yes he’s gone to Bayern and hasn’t tore it up there or become a regular but the players he’s behind are big, household names.

‘He will be a really good signing for Man United. He’s an experienced player who has played in big games, Champions League games.

‘For me, those comments [from Paul Merson] stink of someone who hasn’t seen him play and who wouldn’t know who he is or if he’s left or right-footed because you can’t say it’s a bad signing.

‘This guys knows how to play football. You don’t get signed by Bayern Munich if you’re a chump. He’s a really, really good footballer. Manchester United couldn’t have done any better, I don’t think.’