Hannibal Mejbri "trust" concerns and three things he must prove to become Man Utd star

Former West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand believes Manchester United starlet Hannibal Mejbri must prove that he has character, strength and commitment to gain Ralf Rangnick's trust.

The 19-year-old is considered one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the Red Devils’ U23 side in recent seasons. While he is yet to make his United debut, he has already amassed 12 international caps for Tunisia, competing in the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Arab Cup, as well as also playing a role in Tunisia’s recent qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

His impressive performances for the north Africans and the United U23s resulted in Rangnick promoting him into the United first team squad. However, Ferdinand believes the midfielder needs to develop his mentality if he wants to shoehorn a place for himself in the United team.

“He is naturally gifted – with the ball he has everything,” Ferdinand said to Vibe with Five. “But can the manager trust him? Is his character strong enough.

“Is he someone who can take football seriously 100% of the time, 24/7? These are the big things that as a young player, if you don’t have that, then you can fall short.

“He has an opportunity to play for one of the biggest football clubs in the world. Don’t be that person who ‘I should have, could have, would have played for Manchester United but I didn’t because my attitude wasn’t right, because I didn’t knuckle down, because I was all about the showreel and not the numbers’.

“If I had any criticism about Hannibal it would be that and I hope for his sake and for Manchester United by the way because they could do with someone like him.”

“He could play in any part of the midfield. When we talk about Fred and McTominay, Hannibal