Sabitzer: I'm a very bad loser - even in training
With an ability to handle pressure and a win-at-all-costs attitude, Marcel Sabitzer is confident that he’s perfectly suited to Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.
The 28-year-old midfielder has joined the club on loan from Bayern Munich and it was confirmed earlier today that he will wear our no.15 shirt as a Red.
Sabitzer was acquired on transfer deadline day after it was discovered that Christian Eriksen would be out injured until at least April with a knee injury.
It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for Marcel, but he is taking it in his stride and has total belief in his ability to shine at Old Trafford.
During his first interview at United, the Austria international admitted his mindset is in tune with Ten Hag’s mantra that ‘good is not good enough’.
“Of course,” said Sabitzer. “Keep going every single day, put it all out [there] in training sessions, that’s why I’m here. I like the way he plays, his teams play, he’s a good coach and I’m looking forward to meeting him and playing under him.”
Sabitzer: It all happened so quickly
Watch a preview of Marcel's signing interview, before it is released in full from 15:00 GMT today...
Asked about his mentality and whether he is a bad loser, Marcel told us: “Yeah [laughs], I’m a very bad loser. Even in training, I can’t lose. I have that mentality over the years, I hate to lose.”
As a former RB Leipzig club captain, Sabitzer is used to leading by example and doing all that he can to help the squad move forward, both on and off the pitch.
He joins a squad at United that is packed with leaders and he is looking forward to lending his voice. “Of course,” he admitted.
“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.”
“When you’re at a very young age, you don’t think a lot – you’re free to play, you like to play a lot,” he told club reporter Mark Sullivan. “The first years were easy for me, I just did what I loved the most.
“But when the career went on, I had to handle the pressure, deal with it; but I think I’m mentally strong and I do what I love the most, so, all good.”