01 February 2023 , 13:06
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Manchester United were never likely to be the biggest spenders in January after forking out in excess of £200million back in the summer, but Erik ten Hag was forced into the market on deadline day.
Just weeks after Donny van de Beek was ruled out for the remainder of the season, the full extent of an injury Christian Eriksen picked up in the FA Cup triumph over Reading was revealed on Tuesday. And with the former Tottenham playmaker expected to be absent for at least three months, United were suddenly left with a dearth of midfield options.
Ten Hag and the Old Trafford hierarchy acted decisively: a loan deal was quickly thrashed out with Bayern Munich to acquire the services of Marcel Sabitzer, who will spend the rest of the 2022/23 campaign in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old becomes the latest player to join United on deadline day. Here, Mirror Football recaps the last-gasp deals that the club have struck over the years...
Frederic Veseli
Frederic Veseli was plucked away from Manchester City on the final day of the January transfer window back in 2012.
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The 19-year-old centre-back was a highly-rated prospect after winning the U17 World Cup with Switzerland but failed to make a single senior appearance during his spell at Old Trafford.
Veseli did enjoy a couple of short stints at Bury and Port Vale before moving to Italy, where he won two promotions to Serie A with Empoli and Salernitana.
Veseli, who is now 30 and an established international for Albania after switching his allegiance, joined Serie B outfit Benevento back in the summer.
Andy Kellett
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Andy Kellett played for Man United's U21 after joining the club on loan from Bolton (Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)The arrival of Bolton full-back Andy Kellett back in February 2015 raised more than a few eyebrows.
Kellett, who was 21 at the time, had played just four times for the Trotters and had spent the first half of the season on loan in League Two with Plymouth Argyle.
Instead, Kellett was offered the opportunity of a lifetime by United - a turn of events that admitted left him "shocked" during an exclusive interview with Mirror Football.
The 29-year-old, like Veseli, failed to make a first-team appearance but was a regular in the club's U21 side, but went on to win the Premier League 2 title. Kellett had spells at Wigan and Notts County before joining non-league Guiseley in 2020.
Nathan Bishop
Former Southend United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop moved to Old Trafford in 2020Highly-rated Southend United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop was lured from Roots Hall to Old Trafford on deadline day back in 2020.
The former England U20 international had already clocked up 39 senior appearances for the Shrimpers, who were struggling in League Two at the time.
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Bishop was signed with one eye on the future but has yet to make a proper first-team appearance at the Theatre of Dreams. He did, however, impress on a season-long loan with Mansfield Town in League Two last season.
The 23-year-old has stayed in and around the club this season but is likely to continue his development away from Old Trafford next season.
Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo also joined Manchester United on deadline day back in 2020 (PA)Given that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was desperate for a striker, Bishop wasn't the only player who came through the door on deadline day back in 2020.
But few United fans would have predicted that the club would swoop for former Watford forward Odion Ighalo.
Ighalo, who revealed it was his "dream" to play at Old Trafford during his stint at Watford ended up staying at United for a year before he moved to Saudi Arabia in 2021.
"It's so hard to see this dream come to an end, but I give God the glory for helping me fulfil this lifelong dream of putting on a Man United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honour I will forever cherish and be grateful for," Ighalo told the club's website following his departure.
"To the manager, I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not... I’m still and would remain a Man Utd fan forever. Once a Red, always a Red."
Marcel Sabitzer
Marcel Sabitzer completed his move to Manchester United on deadline day (Getty Images)Unlike the majority of United's previous signings, Sabitzer is expected to play a prominent role in the first team following his arrival.
The Bayern Munich midfielder will have plenty of opportunities to impress Ten Hag and the United faithful with Eriksen, Van de Beek and Scott McTominay all currently sidelined.
And he is determined to make the most of his temporary move. Speaking after the whirlwind move was confirmed, Sabitzer told club media: "Sometimes in life, you have to make quick and important decisions. From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me. I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season.
"I feel that I am at my peak as a player and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new teammates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans."