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Keep seeing a lot of people talking about where his next loan should be, I think our midfield is crying out for a midfielder of his ilk or someon elike Iqbal as well.
Not saying he starts or makes many appearances, but out midfield options alongside Casemeiro are:
Fred - COntract ends in the summer, expect he goes
VDB - Not so much he goes....more he's ghost
McTominay - Not sure he is anymore than a squad option
Eriksen - Been good though isnt getting younger and does lack a little energy and defensive attributes to be playing so deep, stll see him as being better as competition for Fernandes role personally
Outside of CF, I still feel to progress out first eleven that a midfielder is a priority and would liek us to sign one, Enzo Fernandez being the dream.....but there are four options for one spot, two should be sold/released end of contract, one I feel is better suited further forward and the other isnt good enough...there should be opportunities I feel for Hannibal in our squad to make appearances.
People maybe expect too much given the fee we paid for someone so young and some of the hype, he is still just a kid with a lot to learn, but I do feel these next few months are a good time to get a look at him within our side from the bench and cup games at certain times before deciding what to do
Not saying he starts or makes many appearances, but out midfield options alongside Casemeiro are:
Fred - COntract ends in the summer, expect he goes
VDB - Not so much he goes....more he's ghost
McTominay - Not sure he is anymore than a squad option
Eriksen - Been good though isnt getting younger and does lack a little energy and defensive attributes to be playing so deep, stll see him as being better as competition for Fernandes role personally
Outside of CF, I still feel to progress out first eleven that a midfielder is a priority and would liek us to sign one, Enzo Fernandez being the dream.....but there are four options for one spot, two should be sold/released end of contract, one I feel is better suited further forward and the other isnt good enough...there should be opportunities I feel for Hannibal in our squad to make appearances.
People maybe expect too much given the fee we paid for someone so young and some of the hype, he is still just a kid with a lot to learn, but I do feel these next few months are a good time to get a look at him within our side from the bench and cup games at certain times before deciding what to do
I watched the whole of this game. Chong or Deeney were both more deserving of MOTM.
Hannibal’s workrate is amazing. He’s fit as a fiddle and never stops running. He looks like one of the better players I’ve seen in the Championship but still a way off looking like he’s too good for this level.
I watched the whole game aswell and have watched most of Birmingham's games this season, and I would agree about Deeney due to him getting the goals but Chong just reminds me of why he never made it at United.
Hannibal is playing in central midfield for a team that statistically has the worst possession stats in the whole league and was tipped for relegation. So it would be naive to expect him to look head and shoulders above the competition.
Not a great stat for Hannibal that.
Or it's a stat that reflects the way the Birmingham manager wants his team to play by bypassing the build up phase and placing heavy emphasis on verticaility by getting the ball into the attacking third with a minimal amount of passes. Which then opens up the possibility of pressing and counter pressing football high up the pitch.
Subbed off to avoid getting sent off in 3 nil defeat against Burnley.
That happened in one other game I was watching before the World Cup. He really has a mean streak and does come out every game. He needs to draw the line between healthy aggression and silly kicks/pushes. With Bellingham waiting in the wings, it might be some bench time for him at Birmingham
He's young. Keano was like that at the start of his senior career. You thought he was going to get sent off every match.
Completely agree mate.
His biggest issue imo at Birmingham is the style of play. They don't look to build play from the back and hence want to get the ball forward into the attacking third by bypassing the midfield. So the keeper and CBs look to hit it long at every opportunity, and unless Eustace changes his approach and looks to control possession by playing through the thirds. I think it might be a good idea if United look to place him at another club in January. A club that looks to play through the thirds and wants to control possession.
At Birmingham he's doing a lot of off the ball work, which is also good for his development. But I think it would be better if he joined a club that looked to control possession, which imo would highlight his strengths.
Doesn't seem like he had a good game at all yesterday, 52% passing accuracy and not like had a lot of key passes.
Interstingly my mate who is a Bermingham fan is raving about him but saying the same thing. He says he never expected the amount of committment to hard work from a loan player and that he has moments of real class on the ball but their style isn't set up to consistently show that. To be honest the one thing, from watching him in youth football, that I'd never doubt of him is his ability on the ball. I think it'd be nice too to get him a different style of club in January. I've high hopes he could come in and do a job as a squad player next year, Diallo too.
I hate being down on our players but him and Diallo in and DVB and Elanga out wouldn't make an ounce of difference to us, I feel, but Mjebri and Diallo have a much higher upside long term.
My heart sinks when I see those two coming on.
I’d much rather see Diallo and Mejbri, but I think the loans are good for them in the long term.
I've watched most of Birmingham's games to keep an eye on Hannibal's development and the football they play is terrible. The keeper John Ruddy kicks it long at every opportunity and their CBs seem to be programmed to loft 30 yard diagonals to the wingbacks who are stationed high up the pitch. Which results in turning the ball over to the oppo far too many times. And it's why Birmingham are statistically the worst team at holding on to possession in the league. And in the previous game against Middlesbrough, Hannibal was deployed as a centre forward, where he was wasted. And according to some Birmingham fans, he was used in that position due to having better pressing and hold up ability compared to Chong, who likes to run in behind.
I don't blame the Birmingham manager, his hands are tied due to the club's financial situation. But if United can rearrange another loan to a team who puts emphasis on building play through the thirds, then I think that would be for the best. Middlesbrough wanted him before he joined Birmingham and with Michael Carrick now being the manager, it would make a lot of sense.
Can he pas it to himself?
If the Birmingham manager bypasses the midfield he isn't going to have a lot options for when he gets on the ball
Basically word for word what my mate says. I'm glad he is putting in the hard work needed for a team like that, shows super attitude but yeah a loan to someone like Middlesbrough would be golden for him. I'm hoping ETH is impressed with his work rate at the very least because he has really shown he can be trusted to put himself about and burst his bollocks for the team, which should be the least expected for any first team player for me. Just needs the platform to show what hes really good at with the ball at his feet. Honestly think he has all the attributes, and attitude, to make it here if these next couple of years are handled correctly.
Ah yeah I wouldn't recall them now, apart from possibly a change of laon club for Hannibal. More talking about next season, especially as I can see us making some money from the sale of DVB and, especially Elanga (Sweden international and I think he'd be very good for midtable or lower teams).
He'll probably need another loan next season at a more 'progressive' club. He'll still only be 21 by Sep 2024 with [hopefully] two full seasons of professional football under his belt.
I’d agree with all of that. Hopefully Mejbri and Diallo will be integrated next season, with Beek and Elanga moved on.
I would love to see Hannibal in a better footballing team. I also think that he will replace VDB in the summer as I believe VDB would be sold, but Elanga, I would imagine, will go on loan.
Any update on this fella? See he played 70 odd minutes in the last game.
My Birmingham fan mates all absolutely love him.
Seems to be doing well, but picks up way too many yellows. Seems a walking red card risk
Good assist in the dying seconds today, helped the team get a draw
Recall him.
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Really like this lad, hope he gets a proper chance here. Probably best to loan him out again next season as he needs to be playing every week and Ten Hag doesn’t rotate much. A PL loan would ideally be the next step but a mid table French team might offer a better chance at first team football.
Some of the takes about Eustace being a long ball manager are just bizarre! 
He couldn't be further from that. Makes me wonder if people do actually watch the games they claim too.
Hannibal has been decent and one of the hardest workers in the Birmingham side, just a shame that they seem to have hit a patch of bad form recently.
He couldn't be further from that. Makes me wonder if people do actually watch the games they claim too.
Hannibal has been decent and one of the hardest workers in the Birmingham side, just a shame that they seem to have hit a patch of bad form recently.
I love this bit. He has always shown his work ethic and quality on the ball. Seems like he’s found some maturity as well. He’ll be a great addition to the squad; hopefully he finds consistency and keeps improving and shows his worth to EtH in pre-season. I hope he replaces McT and Donny, and we possibly look to bring in a young, talented DM to eventually take over from Casemiro.
I always had an issue with him to be honest.
Don't see much in him.
He is not a technical monster, or have an incredible IQ.
He is not fast, doesn't have a particular good shot.
He's a fighter, he runs a lot and have aggression, but on the other side he loves him a lot, so I am not really confident in his capacities and what he holds for the future.
I prefer a player like Iqbal who is technically more delicious than him.
Don't see much in him.
He is not a technical monster, or have an incredible IQ.
He is not fast, doesn't have a particular good shot.
He's a fighter, he runs a lot and have aggression, but on the other side he loves him a lot, so I am not really confident in his capacities and what he holds for the future.
I prefer a player like Iqbal who is technically more delicious than him.
Hannibal’s miles better than Iqbal, it’s not even close.
Sure he's now, but I meant that I see Iqbal more like a modern footballer than Hannibal.
And also in terms of mentality
The below tweet (from the article above) is exactly what I've been saying for months about him being asked to win first and second balls. Which is normal for the current Birmingham team who average the lowest possession stats in the league.
Sounds like his development is going well.
I've always envisioning him as being a combative and technical 8 in the best way possible.
I've always envisioning him as being a combative and technical 8 in the best way possible.
Just scored a clever free kick against West Brom.
Great free kick there from the lad.
Just scored a hell of a free kick against West Brom.
Just scored a lovely goal, caught the keeper out with a free kick from distance.
Got some real bend on it, think goalie was expecting something else.
The keeper's positioning was a little too brave but the free kick had to be perfectly placed and executed with disguise.
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