The future of Hannibal Mejbri - will he get a real chance this season?

Brightonian

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As for loaning him, how often does that actually work for us in terms of developing a player into a first teamer for us? The last one I definitely remember was Beckham being farmed out to a championship side.
Henderson. Welbeck. Oh, and we loaned Pogba to some Italian outfit for a couple of years.
 

Adnan

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@Bastian

This is the interview where he was asked about his position and he responds by saying he was a midfielder but had to learn new roles in more advanced areas which would help him potentially getting into the first team. Because he realises that to break into the first team he might not get the opportunity to play his favoured role in midfield at first and thanks the coaching staff for making him more versatile.

Skip to 6:05 if you don't have time to watch the whole vid, which is almost 10 mins.


 

MUFC OK

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Do you want to say that he is worse than what we have, on merit?

Perhaps McTominay and Fred are better, but the others?
No but there are others who will always play ahead of him due to wages/reputation.
 

Adnan

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'A bit small for the premier like Angel Gomes'

You can't reason with opinions like the above. But he/she got a like out of it..
I got a warning for this. You might aswell just ban me if you're gonna hand out likes like confetti.
 

Red the Bear

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He has that something which makes you think he'll make it

Hes too weak and scrawny as of now needs to bulk up his temperament ain't the best either

Hopefully there are enough games this season for him to get a ap here and there and seeing how averse ole is to playing donny his chances ain't half bad
 

Bastian

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@Bastian

This is the interview where he was asked about his position and he responds by saying he was a midfielder but had to learn new roles in more advanced areas which would help him potentially getting into the first team. Because he realises that to break into the first team he might not get the opportunity to play his favoured role in midfield at first and thanks the coaching staff for making him more versatile.

Skip to 6:05 if you don't have time to watch the whole vid, which is almost 10 mins.


Brilliant, thanks! Very level headed and keeps referring to his family, which is pretty great that he's got a supportive environment. Seeing him on the ball I just can't help thinking he wouldn't look out of place in our midfield, as in an actual midfielder. Seems Fred and McTominay are used as a pair as they combined can do the work of one bona fide defensively sound midfielder, and they of course work hard winning the ball back. But it is obviously impossible to dominate midfield with that pairing and the other options are even more tactically limited, in that we'd have to make up for other deficiencies. So we'll keep the slow laboured build up when given space, and the counter attack against the more sophisticated sides.

I've said it before, but I think when his chance arrives he'll take it. He's so naturally gifted, like Greenwood who, like Mejbri, seems very level headed as well.

Another big question is whether or not Bruno will be deployed as an #8 for a tactical switch to see if that can be a way for Ole to get more out of the team collectively. That would make it easier for Mejbri to get a look in.

Still think the best midfield under Ole was Herrera-Matic-Pogba. Looked a very functional unit. One gone, another declined, and Pogba needing to find a spot in a different formation.
 

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I got a warning for this. You might aswell just ban me if you're gonna hand out likes like confetti.
Got a warning for this? The mods on here need a serious look at themselves
Just a head's up, as this doesn't need to escalate any further than it already has. Likes don't necessarily come down to agreeing with a post outright. A well structured post, even if it goes against the consensus can get a like and engender discussion, which is not a particularly bad thing on a forum.

Just bear in mind that more can go into a like than it aligning with the givers personal opinion of the post.

I feel you're both good posters and contributors to the forum and shouldn't be getting yourself into bother for something like this, so I hope you take this post at face value and put the issue to bed.
 

Adnan

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Just a head's up, as this doesn't need to escalate any further than it already has. Likes don't necessarily come down to agreeing with a post outright. A well structured post, even if it goes against the consensus can get a like and engender discussion, which is not a particularly bad thing on a forum.

Just bear in mind that more can go into a like than it aligning with the givers personal opinion of the post.

I feel you're both good posters and contributors to the forum and shouldn't be getting yourself into bother for something like this, so I hope you take this post at face value and put the issue to bed.
No worries mate, i've said what I wanted to via PM and it's over as far as i'm concerned.
 

TheReligion

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Elanga, Williams, Shoretire and Greenwood tell you that Ole will play young lads if they look close to good enough, and the fact we were looking for a midfielder tells you Ole is aware it’s a weak point. If he has a solution in the club already I’m fairly sure he’d use it.

This one has the whiff of an Angel Gomes about it, a decent enough player, but a bit small for the Premier League
and maybe not quite good enough yet for a team with title aspirations.

As for loaning him, how often does that actually work for us in terms of developing a player into a first teamer for us? The last one I definitely remember was Beckham being farmed out to a championship side.
What you on about here? Hannibal is 6 foot tall. How big do you need to be for the premier league these days.
 

mu4c_20le

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He's very skinny. He's lucky Fred knew the cameras were rolling and didn't snap him in half.
 

Jeppers7

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Just a head's up, as this doesn't need to escalate any further than it already has. Likes don't necessarily come down to agreeing with a post outright. A well structured post, even if it goes against the consensus can get a like and engender discussion, which is not a particularly bad thing on a forum.

Just bear in mind that more can go into a like than it aligning with the givers personal opinion of the post.

I feel you're both good posters and contributors to the forum and shouldn't be getting yourself into bother for something like this, so I hope you take this post at face value and put the issue to bed.
Thanks for the post, I was baffled by the comparison between Gomes and Hannibal…hence my post. How that is deemed worthy of a warning baffles me even more :lol:
 

LuckyScout78

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Too be honest. He is promising. But as a future offensive central midfield player. For me its hard to see he end up as United nr.8. The creative, offensive and complete nr8. And he is definitely not a nr.6. The defensive cm player.

As a offensive and creative nr.8. He is not Cesc Fabregas level. If we compare the creative cm player. At his age.
And Hannibal is not a nr.10 neither. Too be honest. I still figure out where to put Hannibal in the Unite future XI.

Like Jude Bellingham. Bellingham looks like a more natural cm player. But Hannibal is best with the ball. But i dont see him as a future nr.8 in the mould of Fabregas, Modric or Scholes.

So i think i would wait and come back and analize him again. About around 2 years time. Too see how he has develop and which direction he is taking as a football player.
 

Pogue Mahone

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Didn't believe you at first, as when I watched him last year I had the distinct impression he was pretty small. So went and googled it and you’re right, my bad. Also came across this Hannibal sending Fred to the shadow realm
That popped up on my social media feed the other day. Pure click bait nonsense. Nice feet from Mejbri but he didn’t even beat Fred, never mind humiliate him.

The Mirror article also features the most obviously stupid/made up “club source” quote ever.

“He actually takes the "p***" sometimes against players a couple of years older than him," a club source told The Athletic. "He’ll feint to strike then drag it and shoot the other way.”
Faking to shoot?! Witchcraft, I tell you!!!
 

Bastian

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It wasn't aimed at you mate. But Hannibal quite clearly beats Fred to the ball who is left sprawled on the turf trying to stop him.
Aye, I know buddy, just tagging Pogue there for a re-watch :D
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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I don't know much about him except his first team performances but could he be our replacement for Pogba?

Do they play similar positions or a similar way? Or could he in the future?

Just last season Pogba wasn't starting every game for us - so he could potentially save us in the market if he can do it.
Would he fit a 4231? He’s not a DM at all, and Bruno has the 10 locked down for the next 3 years mimimum (unless of course he “dreams of Madrid” :rolleyes:)

From what I’ve heard Hannibal is primarily an 8 isn’t he? Something we don’t really play with.
 

Bertie Wooster

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I don't know much about him except his first team performances but could he be our replacement for Pogba?

Do they play similar positions or a similar way? Or could he in the future?

Just last season Pogba wasn't starting every game for us - so he could potentially save us in the market if he can do it.
Would he fit a 4231? He’s not a DM at all, and Bruno has the 10 locked down for the next 3 years mimimum (unless of course he “dreams of Madrid” :rolleyes:)

From what I’ve heard Hannibal is primarily an 8 isn’t he? Something we don’t really play with.
Yeah, he's mostly suited to an 8 or 10 which, as you say, we don't really play the former at the moment and Fernandes is the latter.

Like Pogba, Hannibal also played left side of 4-2-3-1 in some games last season (for the U23's), and performed well cutting in onto his right foot and linking up in attacks.

He's not an identical midfielder to Pogba at all - Pogba has a bigger build and presence, Hannibal's a better dribbler - but they're both technically gifted midfielders who mainly play the same positions - #8, #10, left side cutting inside - and link up well in attacks and are capable of contributing goals and assists.
 

Adnan

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I mean he took VdB pass well but it was mostly Fred looking to intercept the ball and missing, no?
It's no big deal but he beats Fred to the ball who sells himself. It's been reported before about Mejbri taking the piss in training and players like Fred are obvious targets. It was also said in the past about how Ryan Giggs used to embarass Bruce and Pallister in training.

But like I said, it's no big deal and it's all a bit of fun that shouldn't be taken seriously.
 

mav_9me

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In any case I am desperate for him to get some game time. I feel he can be our controller in CM. Hopefully.
 

AltiUn

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Would he fit a 4231? He’s not a DM at all, and Bruno has the 10 locked down for the next 3 years mimimum (unless of course he “dreams of Madrid” :rolleyes:)

From what I’ve heard Hannibal is primarily an 8 isn’t he? Something we don’t really play with.
I don't think he'll ever be a #6, personally. I think he'll end up somewhere between an #8/#10. I've said it previously but I think he'd be excellent in the role Pogba's currently playing on the left.
 

Pogue Mahone

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I don't think he'll ever be a #6, personally. I think he'll end up somewhere between an #8/#10. I've said it previously but I think he'd be excellent in the role Pogba's currently playing on the left.
If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Jack Grealish. Complete with getting fouled dozens of times each game. So Pogba’s position on the left makes sense.
 

mav_9me

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If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Jack Grealish. Complete with getting fouled dozens of times each game. So Pogba’s position on the left makes sense.
The difference with Grealish is Hannibal works hard defensively. Doesn't shirk a challenge.
 

AltiUn

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If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Jack Grealish. Complete with getting fouled dozens of times each game. So Pogba’s position on the left makes sense.
Yeah, Grealish is who I'd liken him to. As a bonus, he wins penalties for fun when he's played out wide.
 

Adnan

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The difference with Grealish is Hannibal works hard defensively. Doesn't shirk a challenge.
Another difference is that Hannibal has a passing range and has shown the ability to progress play from deeper. It's actually a big difference along with a high work rate. What we're talking about here is someone with huge potential who has developed into a player who is a threat in multiple attacking and defensive zones in the build up phase. But I also understand that potential isn't always realised so being cautiously optimistic is the way to go imo.
 

mav_9me

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Another difference is that Hannibal has a passing range and has shown the ability to progress play from deeper. It's actually a big difference along with a high work rate. What we're talking about here is someone with huge potential who has developed into a player who is a threat in multiple attacking and defensive zones in the build up phase. But I also understand that potential isn't always realised so being cautiously optimistic is the way to go imo.
Couldnt agree more. He is a dribbler but does not hold on to the ball Grealish style. He is more of a midfielder IMO.
 

JoeyJoJoJrShabadoo

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I don’t think he's ready. While he has played in midfield and you'll see him chase the game sometimes and drop deep, he generally plays very advanced.

He shows flashes where he's incredible; and he shows flashes where he gets frustrated and gets sent off. Sometimes his dribbling and one twos are insane and sometimes he makes hospital passes that lead to opposition goals. Its to be expected of a young player but would make him a liability in the first team.

I understand Fred isn't popular on here, but you replace him with Hannibal and you will concede more possession and more goals. Hopefully he gets a cup run out if we play some lower league teams though and he can prove me wrong.
 

tomaldinho1

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Exactly. The bit of skill that made the clip go viral is in the first few seconds. It did look cool but Fred seemed happy enough to stand off him and certainly didn’t get tricked by it.
Yh the initial trick is actually pointless (although it looks very cool) but he beats Fred by dinking it over him/Fred misses an interception after that.
 

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If he's 'regularly taking the piss in training' given he's vs'ing 1st teamers - and taking Fred on in that clip - there's little reason for him to not be considered a viable option. Question, however, is where on the pitch? He's obviously not going to start ahead of Pogba or Bruno - if he's doing well from deeper in training, however, then giving him playing time, particularly in games we've got a big lead in going into the last 10-15 of regular time, must surely be viable.

I asked previously how he's doing for his NT and got no answer, but isn't that the best barometer of his readiness to handle the men's game? Is he being manhandled or rendered toothless due to his strength, or lack thereof, for his NT?