Under the hands of coach Erik ten Hag, Hannibal Mejbri is gradually developing to have more opportunities to play in the first team.The beginning of the 2023/24 season did not go smoothly for Manchester United.
Casemiro has not regained his peak form, while Kobbie Mainoo suffered a serious injury in a friendly match with Real Madrid. With Mason Mount out of action for more than a month, coach Erik ten Hag no longer has many options in midfield.
Before Burnley, the Dutch strategist even had to rely on Scott McTominay – a player who no longer had the spirit to contribute to the red half of Manchester. Besides, there is a very notable name, Hannibal Mejbri. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the 20-year-old young star is gradually becoming a new phenomenon at Old Trafford.
It’s difficult to give Hannibal Mejbri excellent marks after his performance as a guard. Because the midfielder from Carrington Academy is still inexperienced. However, at least Hannibal Mejbri fulfilled his assigned responsibility. That’s all coach Erik ten Hag needs from a player in his twenties.
Compared to his peers, Hannibal Mejbri’s every move is very cautious but confident. While the media is busy talking about Alejandro Garnacho, Isak Hansen-Aaroen or Zidane Iqbal, Hannibal Mejbri is still diligently training with the U21 team. However, choosing to join the Tunisian national team instead of France was the right decision for the midfielder born in 2003.
He is rarely given a chance in the first team, but shows incredible maturity every time he appears. Moving to Birmingham City on loan helped Hannibal Mejbri gain more valuable experience. The Tunisian international appeared in 38 matches in the Championship, scored 1 goal and had 5 assists.
This season, it was Hannibal Mejbri who scored to help Manchester United have an honorable goal against Brighton. Enthusiastic playing style, not afraid of collision and active movement are the strengths of the 20-year-old young star. If he maintains his current form, Hannibal Mejbri will become a strategic card for coach Erik ten Hag.
It seems like there will be enough squad depth, but the injury situation is giving the red half of Manchester a headache. In the context of having to strain in many arenas such as the Champions League or Premier League, a player like Hannibal Mejbri is always useful to the Old Trafford team.
Slowly but surely, Hannibal Mejbri showed a difference from the majority of Carrington’s young players. Under the hands of coach Erik ten Hag, the Tunisian-French player promises to be a factor worth watching in the rest of this season.