Manchester United are making difficult decisions ahead of transfer deadline day as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his squad.
The transfer deadline is just over 24 hours away and Manchester United still have some business to do.
Midfield is the area of focus for United with Scott McTominay expected to join Napoli before the window slams shut.
United are hoping to bring a midfielder in too as Paris Saint-Germain ace Manuel Ugarte finalises his move to Old Trafford.
Ugarte may be United’s final signing of the window but will be a crucial one as United look to improve in the middle of the park.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Burnley boss on Hannibal Mejbri
Erik ten Hag has already allowed one midfielder to leave the club this week as Hannibal Mejbri departed.
The Tunisia international arrived from Monaco back in 2019 and was tipped as a potential future star at United.
Hannibal only managed 13 first-team appearances for United though and endured a difficult loan spell at Sevilla earlier this year.
United have now cashed in on Hannibal, selling him to Burnley in a deal worth £5.4million which can potentially rise to £9.4million.
Hannibal only completed his move on Wednesday morning but was thrown straight into action against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Hannibal started as Burnley were beaten 2-0 by Wolves in the Carabao Cup, playing 45 minutes before being substituted at the break.
That was seemingly part of the plan with Burnley looking to just ease Hannibal into life at the club having only arrived this week.
Boss Scott Parker was happy though, telling Burnley’s official YouTube channel that he felt Hannibal was ‘first-class’ alongside fellow debutantes Joe Worrall and Bashir Humphreys.
“People from the outside probably don’t understand the full dynamics of players coming in – these players have been here for two or three days,” said Parker.
“They’ve barely had any training sessions, we’ve had to prep this game tonight literally over meetings because we haven’t had a lot of training time in that sense and I thought the three debutants were every bit of the reason they’re at the football club.
“Joe, Bashir and Hannibal were first-class in that sense so yeah, we’re excited about working with them, we’re excited about the qualities they bring and no doubt, they’re going to improve us,” he added.
Hannibal could feature in fierce derby
That is a positive start for Hannibal and the praise from Parker should give the midfielder a boost of confidence as he adjusts to life away from United.
Being thrown into a Carabao Cup tie is one thing but Hannibal may have a real baptism of fire at Turf Moor this weekend.
Burnley’s next game is against bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers and fans will be expecting a big win.
Whether Hannibal starts remains to be seen but he could be thrown into one of Burnley’s biggest games of the season just days after joining the club.
United fans will remember Hannibal’s feisty performance against Liverpool in 2022, which Gary Neville praised as the midfielder showed some passion in a big derby.
That suggests Hannibal won’t be overawed by Burnley’s clash with Blackburn and he would no doubt relish playing in such a big game for the Clarets.
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