He's young and technically superior to those two even if he's yet to put it together. At united this sort of players get a chance, I hope when Murtough was discussing future plans with ETH before he took over, I hope projects like Hannibal and Amad were discussed. So many people want us to be like City buying big for every starting and back up role but that's not united identity and we should never loose that.
46
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 10
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
Not sure how much you've seen of Hannibal coming through the academy, but there's a lot more to his game than just energy and aggression. When he's given the responsibility (as he was in the youth teams), he is very good on the ball and was the player looking to dominate the tempo with his forward passes and bursts forward on or off the ball. He's good technically, links up well in attacks, and can create chances for others in open play as well as delivering decent set pieces.
He's raw and unpolished at the moment in terms of experience, consistency and end product at senior level, but there's definitely the potential there to be a complete box to box #8 who contributes going forward as well as having the mobility and aggression to help off the ball as well.
You obviously don't see the difference now, but when league opponents will rebuild their teams with players like Caicedo, Lavia, Elliott and few other youngsters, I guess there will be still people who will defend McFred like their holy grail.
I don't think opponents will wait on us, till we realise how much stagnating the depth of our midfield is.
Apart from the fact that one plays in a much better team, how do you know this?
'Super Fred' is probably up there with some of the best number 8s in the world, and will probably school most players (ask FDJ). The problem is he only appears sporadically without warning.
We all agree Hannibal is super talented, if he's going to achieve his potential, he has to be given chances, and I for one think he'll take them
I agree, I see a lot to like and I think the mentality is there. A very average loan but loans are very lucky dip.
Even at a low level his effort and press is worthwhile. I also think his runs forward and passing/touch will impress and get better and better.
I'd be really happy to see meaningful minutes this year, 4th/5th choice CM getting 20/30 mins regularly, plus cup comps.
That would be strength and energy but he has better technique than both those players and shits all over DVB.
I'm convinced a lot of people haven't really watched Hannibal if you think what he brings is aggression and energy. 
His aggression is a welcome addition to his obvious technical strengths.
Obviously we're talking youth football here, but he's a very good dribbler and ball carrier (he showed this early days at Birmingham too) and most times teams resort to fouling him to stop him, he's creative, his long passing and short passing are brilliant as well. Experience is what will help him bring all those together as he doesn't really rack up high numbers.
FYI I'm not basing this on highlights. I watched a lot of youth football when Hannibal was playing (as I wanted to get the full value from my MUTV subscription then
and wanted to get closer looks at the likes of Pellistri and Amad), and technically, Hannibal always stood out. I followed him in Birmingham until their football as a team just became too terrible to bear.
Hannibal actually did well for Birmingham by the way. To put in perspective, he had the 2nd highest number of assists. The first was Bacuna (star player) who started 12 more games than Hannibal, and he had just one more assist.
Per 90, he's first for assists and drawing fouls.
His aggression is a welcome addition to his obvious technical strengths.
Obviously we're talking youth football here, but he's a very good dribbler and ball carrier (he showed this early days at Birmingham too) and most times teams resort to fouling him to stop him, he's creative, his long passing and short passing are brilliant as well. Experience is what will help him bring all those together as he doesn't really rack up high numbers.
FYI I'm not basing this on highlights. I watched a lot of youth football when Hannibal was playing (as I wanted to get the full value from my MUTV subscription then
and wanted to get closer looks at the likes of Pellistri and Amad), and technically, Hannibal always stood out. I followed him in Birmingham until their football as a team just became too terrible to bear.Hannibal actually did well for Birmingham by the way. To put in perspective, he had the 2nd highest number of assists. The first was Bacuna (star player) who started 12 more games than Hannibal, and he had just one more assist.
Per 90, he's first for assists and drawing fouls.
Last edited:
Agree and imo potentially he'd be pretty good defensively as well. A quite balanced one this lad. He'd be a very good hybrid #8/10 one day I think. Great offensively and decent to good defensively.I'm convinced a lot of people haven't really watched Hannibal if you think what he brings is aggression and energy.
His aggression is a welcome addition to his obvious technical strengths.
Obviously we're talking youth football here, but he's a very good dribbler and ball carrier (he showed this early days at Birmingham too) and most times teams resort to fouling him to stop him, he's creative, his long passing and short passing are brilliant as well. Experience is what will help him bring all those together as he doesn't really rack up high numbers.
FYI I'm not basing this on highlights. I watched a lot of youth football when Hannibal was playing (as I wanted to get the full value from my MUTV subscription then
Hannibal actually did well for Birmingham by the way. To put in perspective, he had the 2nd highest number of assists. The first was Bacuna (star player) who started 12 more games than Hannibal, and he had just one more assist.
Per 90, he's first for assists and drawing fouls.
Not a tough ask to outperform Van de beek and impress ETH heh?
Thumbs up from me. Very good post.I'm convinced a lot of people haven't really watched Hannibal if you think what he brings is aggression and energy.
His aggression is a welcome addition to his obvious technical strengths.
Obviously we're talking youth football here, but he's a very good dribbler and ball carrier (he showed this early days at Birmingham too) and most times teams resort to fouling him to stop him, he's creative, his long passing and short passing are brilliant as well. Experience is what will help him bring all those together as he doesn't really rack up high numbers.
FYI I'm not basing this on highlights. I watched a lot of youth football when Hannibal was playing (as I wanted to get the full value from my MUTV subscription then
Hannibal actually did well for Birmingham by the way. To put in perspective, he had the 2nd highest number of assists. The first was Bacuna (star player) who started 12 more games than Hannibal, and he had just one more assist.
Per 90, he's first for assists and drawing fouls.
Chatting to a colleague earlier who is a Birmingham season ticket holder, he didn’t rate Hannibal too much and didn’t think he was a Premier league level player.
His view was that he had the technical ability but didn’t have the vision, the pass or could take the game to the opposition to play at the highest level that was clearly evident with Jude Bellingham.
his view was that Hannibal would go the same route as Thalith Chong in terms or a couple of seasons in the championship then may get picked up by a promotion chasing club.
he was very happy they signed Ethan Laird until I mentioned his injury record.
His view was that he had the technical ability but didn’t have the vision, the pass or could take the game to the opposition to play at the highest level that was clearly evident with Jude Bellingham.
his view was that Hannibal would go the same route as Thalith Chong in terms or a couple of seasons in the championship then may get picked up by a promotion chasing club.
he was very happy they signed Ethan Laird until I mentioned his injury record.
The transfer fee is a sunk cost - it should be completely irrelevant when evaluating a player's place in the squad.
Unless we NEED him this year, I think we should loan him to a Ligue 1 side. From what I’ve seen I don’t think he’s a top top talent but certainly has potential to be a good prem player in a 2-3 seasons.
Loan to Ligue 1 where he can showcase himself and hopefully make a profit on him next summer after a successful loan.
If we were really smart, we’d go buy Khephrem Thuram and send them Hannibal with an option to buy next summer.
A post based on experience and thorough thinking is worth an uncoumtable number of other posts, so I’d moatly want to give this one another spin.I'm convinced a lot of people haven't really watched Hannibal if you think what he brings is aggression and energy.
His aggression is a welcome addition to his obvious technical strengths.
Obviously we're talking youth football here, but he's a very good dribbler and ball carrier (he showed this early days at Birmingham too) and most times teams resort to fouling him to stop him, he's creative, his long passing and short passing are brilliant as well. Experience is what will help him bring all those together as he doesn't really rack up high numbers.
FYI I'm not basing this on highlights. I watched a lot of youth football when Hannibal was playing (as I wanted to get the full value from my MUTV subscription then
Hannibal actually did well for Birmingham by the way. To put in perspective, he had the 2nd highest number of assists. The first was Bacuna (star player) who started 12 more games than Hannibal, and he had just one more assist.
Per 90, he's first for assists and drawing fouls.
What I firat noticed with Mejbri in youth football, was that he was always running the game to a good degree. Aceaaible for a pass, took care of the ball, constructive passes, good in tight spaces, could dribble (but not without getting caught for a free kick). What struck me first time I saw him for the first team, was his intensity on nd off the ball. I remember thinking I’d be surprised if he doesn’t become a very good adult player at some point, of the kind that will be useful for any team.
Wether he does that is a game of time and chance as well, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have the perfect mentality. What is also uncertain, is if he’ll be good enough early to warrant the chances his mentality might demand. It would be cool if Ten Hg found him ready to carry a burden this year, but I think there is a sound thinking in the Dutchman’s words that young players will get chances but they must be able to contribute. Garnacho has done so to level were he adds something to the bench, sometimes even to the eleven. If a player doesn’t do that yet, it is better for them to develop on loan than to ait around watching games all year, while it’s also wrong to field them ahead of better players to the detriment of the team to ‘educate’ them.
Mostly I agree but sometimes it is worth throwing a player in before he appears to be ready because the “being thrown in” is the thing that will get him ready.
It may be a high risk approach and few players would prove to be worth that willingness to weaken the team for short periods in order to develop that one player. I don’t know if there’s any will to do it with Hannibal but I believe he is one of the rare few worthy of consideration.
Yes, throw in, yes, for a game or two, pre-season, a few in the league cups, some minutes in the league maybe. This was enough for players like (in my time) Norman Whiteside, Mark Huges, Lee Sharpe, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Keith Gillespie, Phil Neville, Michael Clegg, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Johnny Evans, Christiano Ronaldo to make a mark, leading to new chances (a few of them where even on loan first). Some of them didn’t go as far as others, but the players that didn’t make a mark given such opportunities, have seldom been given a host of further opportunities, and seldom turned out to be good enough for our level of ambition. Exception to the first, is Darren Fletcher, whom Ferguson gave chance after chance, certain he’d come through, which he did. Exception to the latter is Gerard Pique, the La Masia product who floundered a bit for United, and were surpassed here by Johnny Evans, but who thrived at a La Masia-composed Barca team under an old La Masia-coach (Pep) and became a world beater.
We have seen quite a few given chances, but only a very few show they are here to stay. Rashford, McTominay so far, Greenwood wouldashoulda. Now we have Garnacho vying for minutes, and several who have trained with and gotten minutes with the first team (Williams, Savage, Mejbri, Shoretire, Diallo, Mainoo, Fernandes, Mengi). If one of them end up as a mainstay for United over a period of more than two season, that will have been an outstanding delivery, statistically. I like Mejbri, and fancy his chances, but saying that - they are very slim, and he has to make even more of them than he has done so far, while doing well enough, IMO. He’s done brilliantly for his age, yes, but that is not the bar at this club.
Yeah fair comments. I think some players fortuitously come through at a time when there is an opportunity in their position. The players coming through have to be good but it helps if there’s a player injured or coming to the end of his career or just not quite up to it
We have two such positions in the squad: CF and RB - if we had outstanding prospects in those positions it would be easy to give them chances.
Hannibal is in the pot with Eriksen, Mount and Bruno but he could get chances there with injuries or suspensions. I’d rather Hannibal comes in than lobbing Fred and McT back in there. But it could be riskier than putting, say, Fred in, and would arguably weaken the team to begin with.
True, it’s a tough position to brek through in. If Mejbri is hitting McFred levels in training and preseason games, I’d reckon he has a shot. His potential is higher, but as per now, if I was putting Fred, McTominay or him on for the second half of the cup final vs City, he’d be my third choice, tbh. But he will grow.
RB shows how hard it is. Ethan Laird were doing better than Mejbri even on loan, becoming a fan favorite at two of his clubs. But the level up to being second choice RB at a time when this is a weak position was too high. The level is very high.
Yeah, it’s a big jump up to first team level these days. Big squads packed with experienced internationals are tough for the kids to break into.
Got to go on loan for his own sake. No chance he's getting in to that midfield unless we have an injury crisis. Important thing is that he's playing full 90 min matches rather than the odd sub appearence he might get playing here as long as its not below a championship level team.
Probably true but let’s allow preseason to play out and see how he does. And also let’s see what happens with the squad in the next few weeks- if we end up selling Fred and McT then there could be opportunities for him.
Even so, a loan is most likely but I hope he goes to a top foreign league; Germany, maybe.
Was heavily involved in creating all four chances early on, a bit quiet after that. Although giving one back when Lyon were flying into some crazy tackles was nice to see.
I think he's doing well. I wouldn't play him deeper in midfield as he's not very disciplined, but if we want to rotate but stick to our system, he'll be a good stand in for Bruno and Mount (in the cups initially). I think he's been better than Mount so far in preseason.
Did your Birmingham colleague really remember the stuff he was describing? Sounds more like hindsight based on what he's done now. I was one of the posters on here defending Jude during his time at Birmingham, and even I know he didn't show the technical ability, vision, etc... more so than Hannibal otherwise they would have included those in his highlights that everyone thought were average. The reason why I was defending Jude was because he was so young so people should cut him some slack, and because I had seen Jude playing for England's youth teams where he was a clear standout in the technical and vision department.
Kind of similar to a lot of young talents where if you've seen them at youth level, you know they have the potential ability that they haven't shown at first team level. If they're able to hang at such a young age, it's already impressive enough on its own.
Just don’t see it with him. Works hard and technique is ok but not really all that special on the ball. Plus discipline doesn’t seem to be getting any better over the years.
Pretty much my opinion of him as well. Will be surprised if he makes it here, but I do concede that players develop at different pace. Still haven't seen anything in his time with us or Birmingham to suggest he's gonna be a regular for us.
Just pure chaos of a player. Not to fully write it off but I'd be shocked if he ever becomes a meaningful part of the squad here. More likely he becomes a decent player but just elsewhere. He plays in a position where you have to be truly elite like Bruno to actually make it, and I don't see that at all.
Also he's going to get endless suspensions.
Also he's going to get endless suspensions.
In the two pre-season friendlies so far he seems alright for the first 20 minutes or so because he sprints around like a headless chicken trying to win the ball, but then he understandably fades quickly and does nothing else for the rest of the half because it's impossible to play that way for more than just a few minutes and a fair bit of the rest of his game is lacking.
I don't think he has the quality for Utd. He could maybe emulate the Weghorst role of last season in coming on for the last few minutes of games to harrass the opponent and do a few layoffs, but he hasn't got too much else to offer.
And even then, as underlined again by his tackle at the end of the half today, he remains a red card waiting to happen even in brief cameos because he so often throws himself about in a reckless fashion.
I don't think he has the quality for Utd. He could maybe emulate the Weghorst role of last season in coming on for the last few minutes of games to harrass the opponent and do a few layoffs, but he hasn't got too much else to offer.
And even then, as underlined again by his tackle at the end of the half today, he remains a red card waiting to happen even in brief cameos because he so often throws himself about in a reckless fashion.
I've found it really hard to nail down what he's supposed to be. Which isn't unusual for young players but at some point in modern football you do have to get some kind of rhythm within a position for the most part.
I think ultimately he's a bit too chaotic to be somebody you would want primarily close to your own goal. At least at this stage while he's young and lacks discipline. But he's also not a big goalscoring threat so I don't really see it in forward areas. People say he can cover Bruno but I don't think so. I think he's probably a third midfielder, an 8. But whether it's at this level I'm not so sure.
I think ultimately he's a bit too chaotic to be somebody you would want primarily close to your own goal. At least at this stage while he's young and lacks discipline. But he's also not a big goalscoring threat so I don't really see it in forward areas. People say he can cover Bruno but I don't think so. I think he's probably a third midfielder, an 8. But whether it's at this level I'm not so sure.
Personally think we did a bit of a shit job with him developing as it never felt like we knew exactly the player we wanted him to develop into. And now he's sort of a positionless chaos merchant. Honestly I'd rather him stay with the club and have ETH work with him every day to see if he can settle into a defined role and go from there. He has to add some composure to his game.
Giving backup from the bench to multiple positions is also a role, and it won't collide with Mainoo's game time. He should play more than some of our squad players who can't offer anything new, while fruitlessly occupying their place for years.
I can see him go on loan, if we actually haul arse and try to find someone better, in similar age on the market... still, not remotely expecting that from current leadership.
Oh sure I still think he'd get minutes and provide cover because of his versatility. But I'm more speaking in terms of how he might actually progress and become a regular and fulfill the potential that we paid for. Think our staff has to work with him and impart into him a specific role for him to focus on and improve from
I hear ya. To answer that question, think he's being allowed to play & learn multiple positions. His own words from MUTV some time ago. Last paragraph could suggest his multi role path is oriented by the club.
Still, ETH will have to make decision on him, sooner than later. Wings looking stacked on Amad, Pellistri and Garnacho. I could make a guess, it's central role.
https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...where-in-midfield-as-he-names-his-three-idols
Mejbri said:
He looks pretty comfortable in the company of our first teamers.
I think he is ideal as a rotation option and eventually genuine competition for the Mount / Bruno positions. He’s got plenty to learn but I believe he can learn quickly. I hope we sell McFred and promote Hannibal. It’s the future.
I think he is ideal as a rotation option and eventually genuine competition for the Mount / Bruno positions. He’s got plenty to learn but I believe he can learn quickly. I hope we sell McFred and promote Hannibal. It’s the future.
What was Bruno doing at his age? Exactly.
The kid has bags of talent and heart to match. The only thing that he needs work on is temperament. Mind you, that's also the case with Bruno and Antony.
I watched that first half thinking that these rumours linking him with a sale cannot be true. Would be so daft. At worst he needs a loan to a good footballing side, at best he stays and becomes a proper United player.
I love watching Hannibal and think he's a really exciting young player who, if given a genuine opportunity, has that X factor to potentially make it here.
That said, I do get the comments about his 'chaoticness' - stemming from a mixture of his temperament and lack of a true midfield role so far.
But both of those can be addressed as he matures and gains experience and benefits from some good coaching, etc. Much better to have those as the main faults, rather than a lack of technical ability, work rate, confidence... - all of which he has plenty of.
Personally, I see him either as a #10 - though that position is a rare luxury - or a box to box #8 / hybrid 8/10. So if we look to play a #6 and two hydrid 8's/10's, then that would suit Hannibal's game as understudy to the Mount and Fernandes roles.
He's got very good technique and vision and already links up well - but obviously needs to hone his end product and consistency. And offers good work rate for the team and is prepared to put his foot into tackles in midfield - but, again, definitely needs to improve his decision making to avoid picking up too many cards.
So clearly he's still raw, and in need of polishing all the parts of his game - but he's definitely got all the raw materials to make a good #8 / hybrid 8/10 if we coach him well, give him some opportunities, and he shows the right attitude and willingness to learn and all that.
That said, I do get the comments about his 'chaoticness' - stemming from a mixture of his temperament and lack of a true midfield role so far.
But both of those can be addressed as he matures and gains experience and benefits from some good coaching, etc. Much better to have those as the main faults, rather than a lack of technical ability, work rate, confidence... - all of which he has plenty of.
Personally, I see him either as a #10 - though that position is a rare luxury - or a box to box #8 / hybrid 8/10. So if we look to play a #6 and two hydrid 8's/10's, then that would suit Hannibal's game as understudy to the Mount and Fernandes roles.
He's got very good technique and vision and already links up well - but obviously needs to hone his end product and consistency. And offers good work rate for the team and is prepared to put his foot into tackles in midfield - but, again, definitely needs to improve his decision making to avoid picking up too many cards.
So clearly he's still raw, and in need of polishing all the parts of his game - but he's definitely got all the raw materials to make a good #8 / hybrid 8/10 if we coach him well, give him some opportunities, and he shows the right attitude and willingness to learn and all that.
This. Has elements of a Robbo in him.
Better to have kids with talent and heart than those with talent but lacks the heart... like an expensive german signing of ours.
Last edited:
Done more in two matches than some overrated Chelsea player we sadly overspent as well!
Most players don't turn it around like Bruno. But also yeah you can't write off Hannibal, but at the same time he has to do better at his loans and when he gets a chance. Because his current loans haven't gone that well.
If I had to guess, I'd say he won't make it here. Don't think he has enough talent/smarts to his game and to be a creative midfielder at United, we are talking about being one of the best 5-10 in his position in the world. I don't see that in him.
- Status