As Manchester United gear up to welcome their new loan singing Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich, there are speculations of breaching loan rules, check out the loan rules regulated by the Premier League for players from abroad
Following a last minute move, Manchester United have secured the signing of Marcel Sabitzer on the January transfer deadline day.
Premier League 22/23 season loan player signing from abroad rules and limits
Premier League loan rules
TLDR:
• Clubs are limited to 2 domestic loans at a time (eg, player from another PL club).
• FIFA’s regulations apply to international loans from overseas clubs and the max allowed this season is 8 loan players.
More info and the exemptions:
— Dec (@CFCdetails) January 24, 2023
Transfer Update: (Loan incomings)
Remember, under the rules in the Premier League Handbook 22/23, clubs cannot register more than 2 players on loan from other Prem clubs during a single window.#MUFC will either have to sign/buy a player or loan a player from overseas. Tough ask.— Manchester United Transfer News (@_MUTransferNews) January 30, 2023
The Red Devils have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan as a suitable replacement for the injured and sidelined Christian Eriksen.
Manchester United makes last-minute moves on Sabitzer
Just recently, Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen got injured during Saturday’s FA Cup win over Reading. The veteran midfielder had to be taken off on crutches and is reported to be sidelined for a significant period.
As such, the Old Trafford hierarchy wasted no time and quickly identified Sabitzer as a suitable replacement. Following which, the club made some last-minute moves to secure the Austrian international. Even before the move was finalized, Manchester United already had transport available to pick up Sabitzer at the Manchester Airport.
Premier League loan rules
Prior to signing Sabitzer, United have already signed Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst on separate loan deals from English clubs. This means that Sabitzer is their third loan.
According to the Premier League handbook, the loan rules state:
Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time”
However, much to the delight of United fans, this particular guidance only applies to domestic loan signings. As such, since Sabitzer comes from Germany, his arrival does not breach guidelines.
Moreover, at the start of the season, United signed Martin Dubravka as the first loan signing of the season. However, Newcastle United recalled the Slovakian shot-stopper just earlier this month. As such, Sabitzer is Manchester United’s fourth registered loan player.
Fortunately, for United, this is also applicable with another Premier League ruling which states:
The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.”
Marcel Sabitzer a world-class midfielder
Marcel Sabitzer is a Austrian footballer who made his Bundesliga breakthrough after signing with RB Leipzig in 2014 and helping the side gain promotion. Following his entry into the German top-flight, Sabitzer quickly became one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.
He finished the 2019/2020 campaign by scoring 16 goals and bagging 11 assists across all competitions. Following this successful season, he joined Bayern Munich in 2021 for a reported transfer fee of €16 million (£14m).