This is always the problem with loaning midfield prospects out really. It's a position that requires a certain setup, team style, and surrounding quality for a CM to really standout and do anything past "putting in a shift" and showing a few nice touches. But yeah he needs a more progressive team to go and play in to refine his game. I'm still interested but it feels like he's not quite sure the kind of player he wants to be.
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This is always the problem with loaning midfield prospects out really. It's a position that requires a certain setup, team style, and surrounding quality for a CM to really standout and do anything past "putting in a shift" and showing a few nice touches. But yeah he needs a more progressive team to go and play in to refine his game. I'm still interested but it feels like he's not quite sure the kind of player he wants to be.
Has never quite passed the eye test for me. Clearly very talented and with lots of other things in his favour. But there's something incoherent about the way he plays, as if he's so used to trying the flair or unpredictable option that he doesn't have that really deep muscle memory routine of what to do in each little micro-situation.
Compare to Mainoo, who on paper doesn't stand out in the same way, but looks so comfortable and consistent and as if he's been doing what he's doing for a decade already.
Hannibal could have a good career, but if you asked me to put money on it I'd say it won't be with us. All that said, I hope he at least gets a shot with us.
Compare to Mainoo, who on paper doesn't stand out in the same way, but looks so comfortable and consistent and as if he's been doing what he's doing for a decade already.
Hannibal could have a good career, but if you asked me to put money on it I'd say it won't be with us. All that said, I hope he at least gets a shot with us.
Can agree with this. It was a bit strange but I'm assuming it was ETH's orders for him to push up so high almost beyond Sancho/Amad.
I guess it 'confirms' ETH's plan to play with two attacking 8s in Mount and Bruno with Case holding.
I was fully expecting him to be sitting with Mainoo a bit deeper and dictating our play. On a side note, I hope this isn't the direction we're going because whilst this will work against a decent majority of teams, I have doubts about the structure against more resilient teams. Of course I'm aware, that's a lot of conjecture to take from only 45 mins.
They had intentionally put him in there to test him. Take him out of his comfort zone.
I reckon Brighton could turn him into a player
People are mentioning all these teams, but they have their sources. Sure we could speculate if he now end up in Ajax team or Dortmund after Belingham's departure he could develop well but that situation is highly unlikely and just hypothetical.
I am still optimistic about his future, if we get a more senior player to cover Casemiro, he might be sent on loan and Maino get a chance as a third player in the pecking order. Think his attitude and skill should get him enough games at senior football on loan and come back ready next season. We might struggle to get a a cover eventually, so mightgive him a chance but whatever happens in preseason shouldnt cloud our opinion. Iqbal looked super promising and got nothign.
What makes you so sure Ericksen will be dropped?
Especially considering the CL campaign I think the midfield will vary according to the opposition
In theory Hannibal is the most like-for-like change for Mount and Bruno when one of them are rested/injured/subbed. He's the only option we have that has both the physical intensity and the technical skill. Fred has one, Eriksen has the other, Scott and VDB have neither. Of course, Hannibal hasn't shown it at anything close to the level we play at so whether he can take that step up is a completely different story.
What I saw was Mainoo as a 6, Mount as an 8 and Mejbri as a 10 (and Sancho as a 9). My conjecture from that, based on last preseason, is that Mount played 8 because that’s how Ten Hag intends to play him, Mejbri is less of a priority and place where there is space, whereas Sancho is either leaving or being punished by being put in an awkward role he will never have again and which will take his confidence even further down…
Agree with this. Always get very "meh" vibes from him. Has talent and work rate, but don't think he has football smarts.
There's no way we spent £50m on a midfielder to not start the game. Mount will 'definitely' play in place of Eriksen with Case and Bruno.
Unless you thought I had meant Hannibal would be the first bench option, in which case, no I do not believe that. Eriksen and Fred/McT would be first options. Hannibal is still way down the pecking order unless something drastic happens like he absolutely smashes preseason and/or the ones mentioned get sold/injured.
Ah yes, that could also be true though it doesn't really change my issue and worry with Case being the deepest and holding behind everyone else. That aside, a change from last pre-season's false 9 to 10 is a improvement for Hannibal
. I don't think it's his role but it was only 45 mins and I shouldn't over analyse; I guess I'm just that starved for Utd footy.I think some people were expecting him to be the next Pogba and are disappointed that he's more of a shithouse ball-winner than a creative player.
Then you ahve not been watching much of him. Maybe only at Birmingham.
Correct. His performance yesterday hinted strongly in the other direction. Hope he gets his chance this year.
I feel like that isn't really fair to Hannibal. He hasn't been given the chance to play in that position for United. How can someone show that quality over a player whose job it is to show that? Hannibal was originally that player, but has always been asked by United to play further up the pitch.
Hannibal played in his normal position yesterday right? As a box to box #8?
More reckless than aggressive. A walking red card if I have ever seen one, especially with the state of Premier League referees. As someone else said, also looks incoherent at times. Has a lot of energy and desire, it's clear, but nowhere near ready for top flight football.
He's 20. He's learning. Maybe he needs to inject some Sancho in him to calm himself do a bit.
ETH said that he is looking for more dynamism in the centre of the park in his post-match interview -- and Hannibal offers that in buckets full. So I think there is a chance to keep him -- if we sell McTom or Fred or both.
Otherwise, another year out for further education will be good for his career.
Bit like Amad, can't really judge his performance from yesterdays minutes too much, but always looked to get involved but didn't really influence things too much and was outshone by Mainoo in the middle.
Unlucky to get booked in a friendly but his reputation already at a young age precedes him.
Quality wise he isn't anywhere near being above McT or Fred yet so depending on the McFred situation I see him going out on loan.
Unlucky to get booked in a friendly
but his reputation already at a young age precedes him.Quality wise he isn't anywhere near being above McT or Fred yet so depending on the McFred situation I see him going out on loan.
There's no way we spent £50m on a midfielder to not start the game. Mount will 'definitely' play in place of Eriksen with Case and Bruno.
Unless you thought I had meant Hannibal would be the first bench option, in which case, no I do not believe that. Eriksen and Fred/McT would be first options. Hannibal is still way down the pecking order unless something drastic happens like he absolutely smashes preseason and/or the ones mentioned get sold/injured.
Ah yes, that could also be true though it doesn't really change my issue and worry with Case being the deepest and holding behind everyone else. That aside, a change from last pre-season's false 9 to 10 is a improvement for Hannibal
I wouldn't be so sure. Ericksen is a better passer of the ball than Mount and underrated defensively. I can see Ericksen starting in many of the home PL matches and in big European games too. Remember Mount can play out wide (or Bruno wide and Mount 10) so they can all play together sometimes too.
He spent a lot of time further forward. Originally he was more in the spaces Mount was occupying, but obviously it's better to prioritize the better player in Mount right now. Well, that's if United see him as an option for that spot which would make that moot.
I've watched him plenty for Brum. Anyway, it's not a positionally-specific thing I'm talking about.
Funny that you mentioned Sancho. Actually if you can combine the both of them you have a future ballon d'or.
Looked good to me yesterday - these boys need to develope. The bar is so high in the premier league and even more so at UTD. If we sell him to Dortmund you just know he's a £50m player with 2-3 years. The difference is if we keep him and dont play him then he'll never be that same player. From his point of view - he's probably better leaving or having another season on loan.
Eriksen’s not quite ready for the scrap heap. He will get minutes and a few starts but Mount and Bruno will out-compete him most of the time.
I agree but we also need top 4 and it won't be as easy as last season. Stripping the squad of experience will make that harder.
I'm not sure the bar is that high for midfielders compared to previous generations.
There's three of them on the pitch for a start, automatically making it easier than playing in a two.
They all specialise in one or two things now, you don't have to be an all rounder anymore. You can lack creativity/goals and still be worth £100 million.
You can be Fred and play plenty of games for a top four team.
If you're a good athlete and generally a safe option there's a role for you. That's what midfielders are now in most teams.
Thought he played well, going both ways. Think he could have scored as well.
His booking was ridiculous for a friendly.
He looked better than when he played with us last time (under Ralph?). Then he looked more headless than anything. He seemed better in getting himself around and when he had the ball. The loan looks to have helped him. Obviously not the hardest test he will get, but hope he gets more minutes / appearances in pre season.
His booking was ridiculous for a friendly.
He looked better than when he played with us last time (under Ralph?). Then he looked more headless than anything. He seemed better in getting himself around and when he had the ball. The loan looks to have helped him. Obviously not the hardest test he will get, but hope he gets more minutes / appearances in pre season.
If ETH is looking at Bruno/mason midfield pairing I can see Hannibal staying. ETH may want 2 high energy 8s in the middle of the park.
His last minute tackle I am sure would have impressed ETH.
I don’t agree with him not being creative, he’s not similar to Pogba but he reminds me of Grealish.
Yeah, I hope so.
Not surprisingly after 41 competitive appearances (well over half of them starts) in the Championship
Yeah, the loan system can be beneficial if you can find the right club, even if the player doesnt fully stand out, but they can learn, get stronger, wiser etc.
The loan has helped him big time
Eriksen will still start quite a decent amount of games over the course of the season, but there's no doubt that the idea is for Mount to take his spot in our strongest 11. Of course their respective performances might change that (hopefully not as that'll mean Mount isn't performing well), but that'll be the plan.
There's no way we spent £50m on a midfielder to not start the game. Mount will 'definitely' play in place of Eriksen with Case and Bruno.
Unless you thought I had meant Hannibal would be the first bench option, in which case, no I do not believe that. Eriksen and Fred/McT would be first options. Hannibal is still way down the pecking order unless something drastic happens like he absolutely smashes preseason and/or the ones mentioned get sold/injured.
Ah yes, that could also be true though it doesn't really change my issue and worry with Case being the deepest and holding behind everyone else. That aside, a change from last pre-season's false 9 to 10 is a improvement for Hannibal
As are we all. I think you’re right about Casemiro - Mount - Bruno being Ten Hag’s first thought here, as 6-8-10/8 in a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 ish base formation (yesterday we defended as 4-4-2, started attacks as 3-3-3-1 and played established attacks as 3-4-3, more or less, so what’s the point of these numbers?). The way he used Bruno last season, I won’t be surprised if he will often play Case - Eriksen - Mount with Bruno at right forward. If Dalot and Wan Bissaka develops further going on the outside, that may well be.
I’m curious as to how you see Case - Mount - Bruno as limited though. Hard to predict, but on paper it seems to have the potential of improving on last seasons Case - Eriksen/Fred - Bruno combo IMO.
I’m the most worried about load management of Casemiro, based on the fact that there is no replacement close to his level when it comes to a lone 6 role, and none of the current pivote alternatives seem well balanced either. Mainoo might be needed well before he is ready unless we bring someone in.
Would rather see us keep and play Hannibal (and/or Mainoo), than I would see another season of Fred, McT or VDB, likewise would rather see Amad than I would Martial or Sancho
I honestly think we should sell both Fred and McT, who ETH obviously doesn’t really rate, and keep Hannibal in the squad.
As much as they need to be moved on, replacing them with Hannibal is a mistake.
Hannibal looks like he has enough physical and technical traits to cut it. I liked what I saw yesterday.
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