Manchester United have been told they could have the next Paul Scholes on their hands in Hannibal Mejbri.
The 19-year-old provided United fans with a rare bright spark during the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night. The youngster came off the bench with around five minutes remaining and made an immediate impact as he flew into challenges, picking up a booking and perhaps being lucky to escape further punishment.
Nevertheless, Hannibal’s display was a stark contrast to his team-mates on another dismal night for United. The teenager drew praise from the likes of Gary Neville and Bryan Robson for his late cameo, with the former saying he felt ‘proud’ of his performance.
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Hannibal’s emergence won’t come as a shock to those who have worked with him in the past. The midfielder joined United from Monaco in 2019 having grown up in France. But it was during his formative years with Paris FC that he first began to catch the attention of Europe’s big guns. And, given the glowing reference given by his former coach Reda Bekhti, it’s easy to see why.
“The Premier League requires a lot of athleticism and a strong physical capacity,” Bekhti told First Time Finish last year. “He can still grow more muscle. If he passes this milestone and does not pick up any injuries, he will win over the boss I am sure.
“He can become a future Paul Scholes at Manchester United. He has all the qualities in midfield to become a leader.”
That prediction will be music to the ears of United fans, who have been crying out for a return to their glory years amid what has been a desperate decline in the past decade. Tuesday’s capitulation at Anfield in particular demonstrated the need for the club to find its new set of stars.
Hannibal’s display led to fans calling for him to be given more playing time before the end of the season. Judging by his former coach’s comments, he could become a big part of United’s future.
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