Manchester United might be about to discover the benefit of Chelsea transfer tactic

When it has come to scrutinising Manchester United's squad over the last few years, it has often been their midfield that has required the most examination.

It is an area that has required a huge amount of work since Erik ten Hag walked through the door in May 2022 and the rebuild is now just about complete. After signing Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer, plus Marcel Sabitzer on a short-term loan deal in January, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat were added to the ranks during the most recent summer window.

Each recruit has brought a wide range of qualities and credentials, such as Casemiro's excellent ball-playing capabilities and Mount's high energy levels. Injuries, however, have so far prevented Ten Hag from glueing it all together and experimenting in pursuit of his ideal midfield combination.

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As a result of the injury crisis that United have faced in midfield, which has seen them starved of Kobbie Mainoo, Mount and Amrabat in recent weeks, the door has been left ajar for Hannibal Mejbri. After scoring an impressive consolation strike in the 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month, he was rewarded with a starting berth against Burnley on Saturday.

Key in assisting with the United press, the Tunisian, 20, stored a full 90 minutes under his belt, helping the Reds register a vital 1-0 win. It was his first United start since May 2022 and one that was richly deserved after the attitude and commitment he displayed in the defeat to Brighton seven days earlier.

Many had presumed that Hannibal would not have been at United beyond the September 1 transfer