[Wheato]

Enjoyed his performance. He didn't stand ball-watching, like McTominay and Rashford. He tracked runners all over the pitch, got his tackles in, made it difficult for Burnley to play down the middle, and it helped Casemiro come out and win tackles because they were being crowded out by Hannibal.

Played Rashford in with a sweet pass with the outside of his foot. Rashford would have scored that last season, dunno what is up with him at the moment.

I think Hannibal deserves a spot above McTominay, who was awful again. He got megged twice, lost the ball more times that I can remember. Just way out of his depth.

 

[Trophy Room]

He did really well.

 

[CloneMC16]

Didn't look out of place at all. I think he took his opportunity well. He must have ran more than any other player on the pitch.

 

[KikiDaKats]

He made a midfield look structured today. He never went rogue and that’s always important in midfield.

 

[cpresc]

Looked good, show courage and a few classy moments, I can see him and Amrabat sharing one of these new central roles.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

It makes perfect sense when you consider that we are not commenting only on where he played tonight. I mean, why would anyone want a player to play a certain position exclusively based on where he played his last game, as opposed to his entire career? It’s like saying Bruno is a RW because he played there tonight.

I thought this was the player performance thread? Are we not meant to talk about his performance tonight?

Also, Bruno isn't the best example, as he has played in multiple positions for us. Correct me if I wrong, but has ten Hag played Hannibal in a pivot 6 yet?

It's fine that people think he can play as an 6/8, but as I said, I can only judge him on his performance tonight, and that was a 10.

 

[Sancho99]

He's much smarter in the press than most of our other players. He doesn't run like a headless chicken like some of our other players but thinks about cutting the passing lanes and his positioning is good.

 

[DickDastardly]

Bundles of energy!

A bit raw around the edges but a welcoming energy

 

[Mainoldo]

On the ball made the right decisions. Will go unnoticed but was nice to see a midfielder doing his job correctly.

 

[Abraxas]

Won't be a 10 long-term, no chance. Maybe at youth level he could play as more of an attacker but at the top level I don't think he will be that productive, at Man United as a 10 you have people complaining about Bruno even though he puts in ridiculous numbers, work-rate and creation. That's the kind of bar for attacking players - it's pretty high. Maybe Hannibal will improve that side but personally I don't think it has been there at club or international level to date to think he can be a 10 at this level.

Most of what we're seeing that is good is energy, combative, physically looking really strong now - doesn't look like a young player anymore in his body. He's a deeper midfield player, probably an 8 because there's more freedom.

 

[Hester_manc]

I like his attitude, but I do not think he was good tonight. I would prefer Bruno or Eriksen i his position in this type of game. They both have a better technique and against a team like Burnley, they will be good at playing the ball up to from the defense or the goalkeeper.

So I would prefer Garnacho as a winger and Bruno (or Eriksen) in Hannibal's position.

 

[dubplate warrior]

I’m a big believer, although I do think he could have used the ball better on a few occasions. Would like to see him a little deeper.

He's not polished enough on the ball to play deeper to goal. His energy and aggression work quite well for us higher up the pitch.

 

[Dan_F]

Did well enough, certainly seemed to make a bigger impression than McTominay. It doesn’t feel like we’re in a position where player quality is the problem though, it’s more about the system.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Also hopefully people learn that not every youngster constantly “needs a loan” to contribute. Took exactly 1 game for Hannibal to show he’s better than McTom.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

He's not polished enough on the ball to play deeper to goal. His energy and aggression work quite well for us higher up the pitch.

He’s the clear Fred replacement in my eyes with better on ball quality.

 

[Cutch]

Is it not a concern that he only had 23 passes in the whole game? I thought the game passed him by for long parts. Finished the game strongly though and never stopped running

 

[pratyush_utd]

He's not polished enough on the ball to play deeper to goal. His energy and aggression work quite well for us higher up the pitch.

He actually played much deeper in academy and reserves. He is quite good at avoiding press and finding a pass.
At this level 8 and 10 is better position to introduce him but he is certainly good enough to play where Scott played today

 

[gaffs]

Did well today. Nothing to get caried away with, but worked hard and showed some good touches and passes.

 

[sillwuka]

Seems like he can give a similar energy to Fred plus the ability to carry the ball. He'll be useful this season. I may have been wrong about his ability.

 

[Glorio]

For all the 'erratic' views, he actually only lost possession twice

 

[Marwood]

Also hopefully people learn that not every youngster constantly “needs a loan” to contribute. Took exactly 1 game for Hannibal to show he’s better than McTom.

Not sure using a player whose had a loan does much for your argument there.

But in anycase thought he was very good tonight for a debut. His biggest asset at this age is his confidence. Not fazed at all.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Was strange to see a player on our side that was able to actually move all around the pitch.

Thought he was good.

 

[Marwood]

Is it not a concern that he only had 23 passes in the whole game? I thought the game passed him by for long parts. Finished the game strongly though and never stopped running

The whole team didn't keep the ball well so your number 10 won't be racking up the passes in that scenario.

 

[Glorio]

Is it not a concern that he only had 23 passes in the whole game? I thought the game passed him by for long parts. Finished the game strongly though and never stopped running

Apart from our defenders, most of our outfield players had similar numbers. It was a game we seemed happy with ceding possession.

That said, it did seem like the seniors were a bit pensive about giving him the ball initially, even when he was always showing for it. They got a lot more confident passing to him as the game went on. Good game, but he can be much better, and the more he plays, I feel he'll impress folks even more.

 

[pascell]

It seems like he's taking in what he's being told on the training ground and also curbing his temperament, which is good to see.

Glad ten Hag stuck by him after his cameo last weekend and rewarded him with the full game tonight. Think he's moved ahead of Eriksen in the pecking order now, Eriksen will play during the week but Hannibal will play next weekend.

I was very impressed with his energy at 90+ minutes and still showing for the ball, pressing and playing some nice passes into the channels to move us up the pitch.

 

[Irwin99]

The energy of his performance and his willingness to get back was really good to see and it helped us a lot in what was a very scrappy game at times.

 

[RuudTom83]

Very happy for him (and Evans) tonight, he can be proud of himself.

 

[kundalini]

Promising performance. Lots of energy.

 

[PoTMS]

He played well, particularly in the second half. He certainly didn't look out of place compared to say, McTominay or Eriksen.

 

[city-puma]

I thought this was the player performance thread? Are we not meant to talk about his performance tonight?

Also, Bruno isn't the best example, as he has played in multiple positions for us. Correct me if I wrong, but has ten Hag played Hannibal in a pivot 6 yet?

It's fine that people think he can play as an 6/8, but as I said, I can only judge him on his performance tonight, and that was a 10.

In one preseason game with the other youngsters.

 

[Rozay]

I thought this was the player performance thread? Are we not meant to talk about his performance tonight?

Also, Bruno isn't the best example, as he has played in multiple positions for us. Correct me if I wrong, but has ten Hag played Hannibal in a pivot 6 yet?

It's fine that people think he can play as an 6/8, but as I said, I can only judge him on his performance tonight, and that was a 10.

Which is fair, but I don’t understand how you find it so shocking or hard to understand that despite where he played in this match, many people think he should play deeper. The sole reason for your confusion seems to be that he didn’t play there tonight, which I find odd.

 

[Rozay]

He's not polished enough on the ball to play deeper to goal. His energy and aggression work quite well for us higher up the pitch.

An alternative view would be that he’s not polished enough on the ball to play as a 10. I know football is ever evolving, but I don’t see the 10 role as a role for grafting, especially at a club of our level. That’s where I want to see our most silk and finesse.

 

[Robertd0803]

Bundles of energy!

A bit raw around the edges but a welcoming energy

Exactly. Would quite happily see him ahead of McTominay now. At times it looked like he was everywhere.

 

[the_cliff]

Hannibal was good today. Surprised he was trusted by the manager over Eriksen.

Fares well for Mainoo when he's back.

 

[thepolice123]

Was a handful today and used the ball well.

 

[ti vu]

Hannibal was good today. Surprised he was trusted by the manager over Eriksen.

Fares well for Mainoo when he's back.

Nobody trust Eriksen starting 3 game per week especially against high intense athletic teams.

Anyways, good on Hannibal. Not some top class performance, but he looks a part and get the job done. Much better than pre season, or under RR where he was too eager to impress and kind of overcommitting.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Breath of fresh air today having him in the midfield. Everything we’ve missed. Someone that can get on the ball and drive it forward. Had some very nice passes and his energy was great to see. Shows what we really miss in midfield.

 

[Adnan]

He played very well and he was our best midfielder at retaining possession where his pass completion was better than both McTominay, Casemiro and Bruno's was at 55%. And in the second half he played two nice passes where he sent Rashford away down the left with a outside of the boot pass which was weighted perfectly for Rashford and his shot was blocked. And then he repeated the same on the other side with a more orthodox pass down the right hand side, which was again weighted nicely and again opened up a real possibility to create a big chance.

Out of possession he's very intelligent and clued on as to what his role is positionally.

The next step is to integrate both Amrabat and Mainoo into the team which will hopefully see us control the deeper phase of the midfield. Currently teams are setting a trap for Casemiro, which we have thus far navigated by going direct. So having players who are comfortable receiving passes under pressure will hopefully see us play through the midfield more often and hence see the players in advanced areas see more of the ball. That connection is missing at the base of the midfield and hopefully Mainoo and Amrabat will help in that regard.

 

[Remember the geese]

He played very well and he was our best midfielder at retaining possession where his pass completion was better than both McTominay, Casemiro and Bruno's was at 55%

Yikes! I thought he was ok. He was no worse than anyone else in a very underwhelming performance.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Neither one is even remotely similar.

Yeah but do you know McTominay is closer to Roy Keane than Fernandes or Eriksen.