Ten Hag reacts to Hannibal Mejbri’s Manchester United display

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has praised midfielder Hannibal Mejbri for a ‘perfect’ performance against Burnley.

United headed on the road on Saturday evening, making the short trip to Turf Moor to take on Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.

Erik ten Hag really needed a victory and that’s exactly what he got as United picked up a 1-0 victory.

Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal of the game, beautifully volleying home from a Jonny Evans pass.

It wasn’t pretty at times but a win is a win with United putting a difficult week to one side in East Lancashire.

Hannibal Mejbri praised by Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag decided to bring Hannibal Mejbri into the United midfield having seen him score against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

The Tunisia international mostly played centrally but did shift to the right at times with Bruno naturally coming infield.

Hannibal certainly added energy to United’s midfield and earned praise from Ten Hag after the final whistle.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Ten Hag admitted that the injuries United are suffering right now is making things difficult in terms of bringing new players into the side.

Ten Hag added that Hannibal was an example of that, as he isn’t used to playing in the United starting XI.

However, Ten Hag felt that Hannibal did a ‘perfect job’ against Burnley, potentially teeing him up for more Premier League starts moving forward.

“Of course it’s a concern. You have so many injuries, you have a problem in the routine of your game. You bring players in, they are new – like Reguilon, like Hojlund and you can’t bring them in slowly in the routines of your team. They are not used to playing together, like Hannibal who did a perfect job,” said Ten Hag.

Hannibal stats v Burnley

Hannibal had the highest pass completion percentage of any United starter at 91.3%, but did only complete 23 passes – the second-lowest with only Rasmus Hojlund behind him.

The 20-year-old registered two key passes in the final third too, as well as winning one aerial duel.

Hannibal put himself about off the ball too, winning two tackles and blocking one shot to help keep Burnley at bay.

This was a very encouraging performance for Hannibal and Ten Hag’s praise certainly feels warranted after some lifeless United midfield performances this season.