Gary Neville says Manchester United star should have been sent off after 17 minutes

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was booked early against Newcastle and Gary Neville says he should have seen red.

Tunisia international Hannibal Mejbri is a bundle of energy and Manchester United fans who have watched his career coming through the academy are well aware of his propensity for a booking.

He has not played a first team game for almost an entire month and he came out looking like a player possessed, who was a little too determined to make an impact.

Hannibal was given a yellow card in the 13th minute, and then with a challenge in the 17th, he was a little fortunate to avoid a second booking, in the view of former United star Gary Neville.

‘Hannibal should have been sent off’

Gary Neville, on commentary for Sky Sports, said Hannibal’s first booking was fully deserved. He said: “He had to be booked. It was never there. A needless booking, he’s just barged into him well after the ball has gone.”

Four minutes later Hannibal made another challenge, which the referee chose not to book him for.

Neville said: “He should be off. He’s got to be careful to say the least. The referee has let him off.”

For the rest of the half Hannibal kept his discipline really well, choosing not to take unnecessary risks and he stopped flying into challenges, settling into the game more.

Even so, it was a little surprising he came out in the second half, with Manchester United making two substitutions, with Casemiro and Diogo Dalot taken off.

Manchester United were well beaten either way, exiting the Carabao Cup, adding to a very miserable season so far.

Casemiro was at risk too

Hannibal was not the only Manchester United midfielder treading a tightrope. Casemiro picked up a booking in the 20th minute, which was his second foul of the game.

The Brazilian has had three red cards in his Manchester United career so far, and this was another tough night for him. He was just as much of a risk as Hannibal as picking up another yellow, and was withdrawn at half-time.