In Oslo, the first stage of Manchester United’s summer midfield restructuring was presented, with Mason Mount providing a promising opening 45 minutes for his new team without the help of his expected partners Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
But although the trio won’t be ousted as Erik ten Hag’s preferred starting, the signing of Mount is only likely to be one part of the transition in midfield coming season. There may be a change in the cast below them.
Christian Eriksen is a trustworthy, first-rate backup, but it seems like the midfielders below him could all be available. Nearly definite departures include Fred, Scott McTominay (should an offer come through), and Donny van de Beek.
Mount will sign off on Fred’s exit after which United will monitor holding midfielders, particularly Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina, in case they receive an offer for McTominay that they feel they cannot refuse.
Without having to add a replacement to the team, United could conceivably sell Van de Beek this summer. Although he made 10 appearances last season and would have made more but for a knee injury in January that curtailed his season, he has only started six Premier League games in his three seasons at Old Trafford.
Any money United can generate will be significant in expanding the budget for this summer, especially if they can avoid signing a successor for the 26-year-old who has struggled in the Premier League but may have enough credit in the bank to earn a sensible move back to a club on the continent.
When Fernandes was suspended, Van de Beek was mostly deployed as another aggressive No. 8 or No. 10, starting at Villa Park or playing high in the center when the Portuguese was utilized on the wings, as he did in the Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa.
There is little need for Fernandes, 28, to have an accomplished, high-caliber backup because he rarely takes a break or is otherwise unavailable. He played 92% of the minutes across all competitions for United in 2022–23. He started 37 of the 38 Premier League games last season, just missing the game against Villa because of his suspension.
As he continues to rehabilitate from a knee injury, Van de Beek was unable to travel to Oslo for the friendly match against Leeds, but another player who might leave this summer made the most of the occasion. Van de Beek has never performed a greater impression of Fernandes than Hannibal Mejbri.
This summer, Borussia Dortmund has expressed interest in the 20-year-old, and Ten Hag has already demonstrated his willingness to let young players go if he doesn’t think they are quite ready. Hannibal, who now holds 24 caps for Tunisia, would command a respectable sum.
But there have always been high hopes for Hannibal, with a potential €10million fee to sign him from Monaco as a 16-year-old a clear indication of his talent. With his floppy hair and languid style, he has always looked a little different and he plays a little differently too. He was a constant threat for United’s development side, but a role in the first-team squad has looked less obvious.
His was a stylish cameo against Leeds on Wednesday, however. His through ball set Amad free early on and he worked back diligently as well, contributing defensively. Given the game time Van de Beek got last season, it would be easy for Hannibal to step in and perform that role, with maybe a little exposure in cup games to give Fernandes a rest.
While United have to look to sell Van de Beek, given he’s now endured three difficult years at the club, there is no need to sell Hannibal. If he stays with the first-team squad and even plays only occasionally this summer, his value isn’t likely to depreciate much.
He would also make for a more interesting squad member than Van de Beek. The notion that the former Ajax midfielder may find life easier under his former manager hasn’t materialized based on what we’ve seen of what he can accomplish now. He simply doesn’t appear to be ready for the Premier League.
A lot of untapped potential exists with Hannibal that has to be discovered. This summer, he could be more alluring than ever as an attacking, creative substitute for Fernandes and an internal Van de Beek successor.
If United can obtain a fair price for Van de Beek, it might be time for Hannibal to take the lead. United must sell in order to pay transfers for the custodian and forward that Ten Hag desires.