Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a meniscal injury, the club have confirmed.
Sabitzer arrived at Old Trafford in January on loan from Bayern Munich as a temporary replacement for Christian Eriksen who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
He has since played an important role in United's Champions League charge, picking up a Carabao Cup winners' medal along the way.
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However, the Austria international missed United's 2-0 victory over Wolves due to the injury, and will not feature for the rest of the campaign.
The news will come at the worst possible time for Erik ten Hag, who is chasing a top four finish and cannot afford any slip-ups along the way, with Liverpool just four points behind them.
A club statement read: "Everyone at the club is disappointed to lose Marcel's services, as the Reds chase a strong finish to the season in the Premier League and FA Cup, and we are grateful for his contribution to our progress so far."
What could it mean for Sabitzer's future?
There has been plenty of speculation over whether Ten Hag will choose to hand Sabitzer a new deal at the end of the campaign, as the United boss eyes midfield additions this summer.
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However, the 29-year-old's injury could mean he is unlikely to be given a permanent contract, with no sign of a new deal on the horizon, and seemingly no more chances to impress Ten Hag.
Therefore, he is expected to return to the Allianz Arena where he will have the chance to prove himself to new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Nevertheless, he has had some memorable moments with the Old Trafford outfit, notably netting a brace in the Europa League quarter-final first leg clash with Sevilla.
While he also scored an audacious backheel against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Topics: Manchester United, Marcel Sabitzer, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Football
Joe Adams