Hargreaves has strong advice for Sabitzer
Owen Hargreaves has passed on a message to Marcel Sabitzer to not be "too nice" after making a loan move to Manchester United during the January transfer window.
The midfielder has already made his mark with the Reds but was forced to sit out the first leg of the Europa League play-off with Barcelona due to a one-match suspension picked up while with parent club Bayern Munich.
However, the 28-year-old is available for the Old Trafford decider, after starting the Premier League win over Leicester City on Sunday, with the tie on a knife-edge after the 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.
Ex-Red Hargreaves, part of our Champions League-winning side in 2008, gave his thoughts on Sabitzer after making the same move from Bavaria to Manchester in 2007, during an exclusive interview with club media.
"He's a good player," Hargreaves told MUTV. "I mean, obviously with the situation with Christian Eriksen, it changed everything. You needed to get another body in. I think Manchester United are the only English team left in all four competitions, with so much to play for in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Premier League and Europa League. It's another body but, you know, a good player.
"He's another guy who can play multiple positions. He's smart. He's played in the Champions League and, depending on the personnel who play with him, he can play deeper or further forward.
"I like him. He brings a strong mindset. What Erik ten Hag has changed is this kind of mentality. We were all a little bit worried after the first two games, against Brighton and Brentford, and you think: what is this going to be? All of a sudden, he changed the mentality.
"He [Sabitzer] has been in teams that are super-competitive and I think the fans are going to love him."
When asked if he had specific advice to pass on to the Austria international, Hargreaves was clear in his response.
"Just be yourself," he suggested. "That's what has got him here. Don't be too nice.
"A lot of guys come to new teams and try to fit in and can be very accommodating. Sometimes, you've got to force the issue and be aggressive and don't be too nice out there.
"Just go out and be yourself as he's a really good player. Don't be too nice out there. Just go for it!"
United v Barcelona is exclusively live on BT Sport in the UK.