United should start ‘exceptional’ star against Man City despite playing 116 minutes this season

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It’s derby day ladies and gentlemen, which has more than a few Manchester United fans nervous for what lies ahead.

Erik ten Hag will be looking to make it back-to-back derby victories at Old Trafford. Last season United emerged victorious thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

But it’s a much different team this season. Ten Hag has brought in some star-studded names like Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount, whilst simultaneously getting rid of some of our regular offenders in derby matches.

But a player who hasn’t featured much this season is someone we think could revel in this fixture. Ten Hag should definitely think about letting him feature from the off.

Hannibal Mejbri could bring just what Ten Hag needs on derby day

Yes, that’s right – we think Hannibal Mejbri would be a good choice against Manchester City.

The Tunisian brings exactly what a midfielder should to a derby, intensity and passion.

He is an absolute workhorse in the middle. In the short amount of time he’s featured this season, it was noted that his running stats were immense.

Pep Guardiola’s side is a team that can run you into the ground, and with ageing players such as Casemiro and Raphael Varane definitely looking off it this season, Hannibal could be like an extra man.

Sitting next to Casemiro today could do him the world of good and take the pressure off the ageing Brazilian.

Mason Mount is the likely candidate to start, but with City’s barrage of attacks set to come – we think the 20-year-old may be better suited.

Hannibal deserves more game time…

He also isn’t just great defensively, he is an attacking threat – as shown by his one-goal in just 116 minutes.

That 116 minutes is ridiculous though. It has been bizarre just to see Hannibal fizzle out at United this season.

He was lauded as ‘exceptional‘ against Burnley but hasn’t featured since he came off as a half-time substitute against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

We know Ten Hag isn’t afraid to give young players a ‘baptism of fire’ by chucking them in the deep end this season, as shown with Facundo Pellistri vs Bayern, so could he do the same again with Hannibal?