Bruno Fernandes recalls playing Marcel Sabitzer, saying he is “really good”

Bruno Fernandes has opened up on Manchester United signing Marcel Sabitzer, recalling when he played against Sabitzer in 2020.

Back in 2020, it was Marcel Sabitzer who captained RB Leipzig to a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the final game of the Champions League group stage – a match which caused United to be relegated to the Europa League.

Recalling the fixture, Fernandes has admitted that despite the sour memories, the Austrian international stood out as a remarkable player during the tie.

“Yeah, my memories of that game are not good as they put us out of the Champions League,” Fernandes said. “But he’s a good player, a really good midfielder.

“He can shoot from outside of the box, he can score great goals. He’ll give us more options in the midfield while Christian is injured. He’s another one who’ll make it difficult for everyone in the team to have a place.”

Sabitzer joins a Manchester United side with tough competition for places, with Fernandes, Casemiro, Fred, and Scott McTominay all vying for positions – although the latter has been out injured recently.

Fernandes has described that although Sabitzer has joined as a replacement for the injured Christian Eriksen, he must fight for his place in order to start as part of Erik ten Hag‘s midfield three.

“Even for him, he knows he has to push himself to the highest level to be playing for us now and everyone that is starting today – for example me, Casemiro and Fred,” said Fernandes. “We know it costs a lot to have a place in the team and we have another one fighting for that position so we have to give our best.

“We’re really happy to have him, we think he can help us. Tomorrow I’ll be with him, I’ll talk a little bit with him and see. I think he’s fully fit, he’s been playing, so hopefully he’ll help us a lot.”

Marcel Sabitzer was unable to play against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening as his visa had not been processed in time, but is likely to make the matchday squad when Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Sabitzer has played at Old Trafford once before, in a fixture where Marcus Rashford scored a second-half hattrick to secure a 5-0 win for the Red Devils in 2020.