In the Europa League, where Manchester United lost to Borussia Dortmund, Hannibal Mejebry wore the captain's armband and conceded a penalty in a penalty shootout, and the Red Devils were unfortunately out. Despite this, Hannibal's performance in the game was not bad, especially in the second half, when his passing and midfield breakthroughs continued to pose a threat to United. Manchester United's interim manager Lonnick in the stands will impress him.
Hannibal's ability to act as captain is not only because the former Manchester United youth captain Teden Mengi has been rented out to Championship Birmingham, but also related to Hannibal's maturity.
In the past, the France-born Tunisian international has been grumpy and has often been targeted by opponents. The defender kicked him and shoveled him, hoping to get Hannibal off the field. Against Dortmund, official figures show that Hannibal was fouled three times by his opponents, but he was thrown to the ground at least six times.
Today, he has played for Tunisia in the African Cup of Nations and has played for the country 11 times. As an international-level player, the 19-year-old Hannibal is more of a leader. He has already played in the finals of the Arabian Cup and has more experience in international competitions than some of United's first team members.
His starting position was the No. 10 position, followed by a tactical shift by Manchester United under-23 manager Neil Wood, Hannibal retreating from the position to strengthen control of the ball in the middle, and finally appeared on the flank to attack Dortmund.
According to The Athletic, Hannibal is very brainy and has been practicing new positions for months, training himself to retreat into deeper midfield and even the back area to play. That's partly because he feels he has a better chance of getting into the first team at the back and United's front-back position is crowded, especially Bruno Fernandes, who has an absolute core.
In recent years, the retreat of creative players has not been new, and midfield masters such as Pirlo and Tony Kroos are among the best. Whether United will do so in the future will be an interesting topic. Hannibal may be able to compete with McTomine or Fred, whose passes have a good chance of outtaking them. As long as he has a positive attitude of hard work, he may not be unable to defeat "McFred".
The 16-year-old Hannibal joined Manchester United for 10 million euros, becoming the most expensive youth champion in the history of the team. Hannibal, who was still playing for the French national youth at the time, was once regarded as the new Pogba. So, if Pogba leaves Manchester United this summer, Hannibal also has a chance to take his place.
The Klefontaine training base in France has trained French talent players such as Henry, Anelka and Saha, and is also the cradle of Hannibal's youth training. Later, he joined Paris FC, and the team's youth coach, Rado Beckhetu, said: "He has skills and is also very serious and diligent. What impressed me the most was his determination and his attitude, his skills in former Real Madrid's Argentine back Redondo, and david Luiz's hairstyle."
Hannibal has already entered The Manchester United first-team training, but whether he can make more appearances like Anthony Erlanga is too difficult, unless Lonnick loses hope of finishing fourth early. But if you're willing to take the time to learn more positions and more skills, unlike Brother Rashford and Mason Greenwood, you'll certainly be able to create the best opportunities for yourself.
Many people feel that experience in youth competitions is more important than results, and learning is better than scoring. But after The Manchester United youth team regretted being out, Hannibal and his teammates collapsed to the ground in disappointment. Head coach Wood explains: "We're here to win the game, not just to pursue so-called development. We want to win, the club wants to win, the players want to win more than anybody else, that's why they're so disappointed in the end, they feel they should go further."
One of the reasons for United's failure in recent years has been to abandon the high standard of failure without winning the title and lacking the firm will to win. But from the early indications, Hannibal did not lack fighting spirit. In Last season's manchester United match against Ackerington Stanley, he broke the bridge of his nose in the opening 10 minutes, but never left the game, playing with two brackets inserted in his nose. After the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year, Hannibal gave up his holiday and returned directly to Manchester United, a spirit that earned him the trust of the new manager Lonnick, leaving him in the first team and entering the Premier League list.
Hannibal said he hoped to learn from Cristiano Ronaldo and succeed in the Manchester United first team. "At Manchester United, people don't think like the French. It's simple for them that you either perform well or leave, no matter who you are or where you're from. There is no status, the principle is very simple: work, work, work, this is all about success. Also, I'm with the hardest player in football, Ronaldo, and I have to learn next to him."
Hannibal revealed that he chose Manchester United that year, and there were also Ronaldo factors. "I've always loved Manchester United, it's a club you need to respect, it's hard to find a better club in Europe. In the past, I've seen cristiano (Ronaldo), Nani's games and Verde's achievements. Manchester United has nurtured me and I do have other options, but after talking to my family, I am convinced that Manchester United is the best option."