Hannibal scored his first goal for Manchester United against Brighton and Hove Albion earlier in September. The following week, against Burnley, he was given his first-ever Premier League start.
The Tunisian accomplished the most pressures per 90 minutes and the greatest sprinting pressure per 90 minutes at Turf Moor, breaking two league records for the 2023–2024 season.
Hannibal ran more than any of his colleagues, farther than any player since Erik ten Hag was named manager, and farther than any player since such records started being kept in 2019, according to Sky Sports. He also covered more ground on the pitch than any other United player (12.9km).
In essence, he gave it his all, and fans aren’t used to seeing athletes work that hard lately.
He then got the nod once more for United’s midweek Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace, when he put in yet another outstanding performance to help the team secure a 3-0 victory and advance to the competition’s fourth round.
The 20-year-old has done an excellent job of seizing his opportunities, and it’s encouraging to see a Carrington alum succeeding in the senior group.
Ten Hag praises Hannibal
According to ManUtd.com, Ten Hag responded to a question on Hannibal’s recent performances and development with the following statement: “I think he delivers a really positive message to the rest of the squad, that this is the demand and this has to be the standard.
“This is what you need to bring to the team to succeed when you play that position,” the player said. He is a really good fit and can make a significant contribution to a strong performance and a good outcome, especially when playing against teams that like to possess the ball.