Former West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand believes Manchester United starlet Hannibal Mejbri must prove that he has character, strength and commitment to gain Ralf Rangnick's trust.
The 19-year-old is considered one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the Red Devils’ U23 side in recent seasons. While he is yet to make his United debut, he has already amassed 12 international caps for Tunisia, competing in the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Arab Cup, as well as also playing a role in Tunisia’s recent qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His impressive performances for the north Africans and the United U23s resulted in Rangnick promoting him into the United first team squad. However, Ferdinand believes the midfielder needs to develop his mentality if he wants to shoehorn a place for himself in the United team.
“He is naturally gifted – with the ball he has everything,” Ferdinand said to Vibe with Five. “But can the manager trust him? Is his character strong enough.
“Is he someone who can take football seriously 100% of the time, 24/7? These are the big things that as a young player, if you don’t have that, then you can fall short.
“He has an opportunity to play for one of the biggest football clubs in the world. Don’t be that person who ‘I should have, could have, would have played for Manchester United but I didn’t because my attitude wasn’t right, because I didn’t knuckle down, because I was all about the showreel and not the numbers’.
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“If I had any criticism about Hannibal it would be that and I hope for his sake and for Manchester United by the way because they could do with someone like him.”
“He could play in any part of the midfield. When we talk about Fred and McTominay, Hannibal could go in there and maybe take one of their places. He could be like a deep lying creative midfielder for United, especially if Pogba goes in the summer.
“He has an opportunity. Don’t waste it!” Hannibal has contribute one assist in 12 appearances for his country. He has also enjoyed another impressive campaign for the United U23s side, combining his excellent technical ability and his mature understanding of the game.
However, Ferdinand is not the first player to question his attitude, former United ace Ben Thornley accused him of “waving his arms around and showing dissent” during a match against Leicester City in 2020.
And Ferdinand vented similar concerns to the former United defender, before urging him to try and build his resilience and win the trust of the United manager.
“If he (manager) cannot trust you and you’re not mentally strong enough, and his man runs off him and he scores, then he will have 70,000 people on his back,” Ferdinand added. “Can you deal with that if you have not got the character and the mentality to be strong in and around the dressing room.
“If a first team player says to you ‘do this, do that’ and you’re laughing or not serious about it, how will they take you serious when you are on a pitch with over 70,000 people watching you?”
