Manchester United have a big decision to make against Liverpool this weekend at Anfield over who starts in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes is suspended for Manchester United’s fixture against Liverpool this coming weekend.
It has left manager Erik ten Hag with a real decision to make, who will replace Bruno Fernandes against Liverpool?
The straightforward answer may be Scott McTominay, with two defensive midfielders in behind him. Donny van de Beek could also be thrown to the wolves for a rare appearance. But there’s another more explosive option…
Hannibal v Liverpool
Speaking to MUTV radio commentary at conclusion of Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, former defender David May said he wants Manchester United’s players to ‘show some balls’ against Liverpool.
Last season United lost 7-0 at Anfield, with a performance lacking in fight and spirit as much as defensive stability.
The one player Manchester United can call on against Liverpool this week, who will show fight and spirit, is Hannibal Mejbri.
Hannibal is a fiery player, who will fight for his team, and always manages to rile up opponents and the crowd.
This might be a bad thing for United if it riles them up at Anfield, but their crowd will be baying for blood anyway. Picking a player who will embrace it, might be the right call.
Hannibal impressed for Manchester United at Anfield in 2022 when he was sent on for the final six minutes of a defeat under Ralf Rangnick.
He showed more spirit in his brief cameo than the rest of the starters, with Gary Neville telling Sky Sports: “At least the kid showing a bit of something. He’s sprinting to make a tackle and showing the rest of them.
“I’m proud of him. Maybe he doesn’t like the rest of them passing around him. I wish the rest were the same. That kid to be fair, he’s giving it some at least.”
What you get from Hannibal is tireless running, energy, and the sort of character Manchester United may need to get a result.
High risk option
Among all the options available to Erik ten Hag, selecting Hannibal remains the most risky available to him.
Hannibal will be up for the fight, perhaps too much. It is just as likely he will end up being sent off, as scoring a winner.
If there is one thing Manchester United cannot afford, it is to go down to 10 men at Anfield and make the difficult task even harder.
This may be the time when Ten Hag has to gamble. There is already speculation over his job. Why not go down swinging?
Hannibal is more likely to see action from the bench again than as a starter, but if Ten Hag really does want to swing for the fences, picking the Tunisian in his XI is the ultimate gamble.
Hannibal is the nuclear option who could blow up Jurgen Klopp’s game plan, or Erik ten Hag’s if it backfires.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/gZ2co13