The Unstoppable Rise of Hannibal Mejbri: Shaping Erik ten Hag's Winning Formula at Man Utd
Hannibal Mejbri's exceptional running and pressing stats at Man Utd showcase his transformative impact, offering a beacon of hope for Erik ten Hag's revitalization efforts Delve into the remarkable numbers that have sparked a turnaround at Old Trafford
Coaches in desperate situations rely on trusted individuals who are willing to put in the effort. Hannibal Mejbri's timing couldn't be better for Manchester United. If other respected teammates follow his example, Erik ten Hag may find a solution to overcome this challenging period.
At the age of 20, Mejbri showcased his talents with a remarkable goal against Brighton and carried that momentum into a captivating performance, resulting in a 1-0 victory against Burnley last Saturday. Additionally, he continued to display his impressive skills in the Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace. Fans are responsive when they witness a combination of dedication and excellence, and the statistics support this observation.
At Turf Moor, the Tunisian player covered the most distance compared to any other player on the field, running a remarkable 12.9 kilometers.
Notably, Mejbri surpassed the distance covered by any other player from the United team this season. His feat also exceeded the achievements of any United player since Ten Hag joined the club, as well as any United player since the collection of these records began in 2019.
"He has consistently displayed this aspect in his gameplay," stated Birmingham City manager John Eustace last season, referring to his remarkable performance in terms of breaking distance records and other accomplishments during Mejbri's impressive development in the Championship. This period truly proved pivotal for his progress.
Engaging in a conversation with the midfielder in February, he elaborated on the significant changes witnessed in both his game and mindset. "Being a part of the Championship has highlighted the necessity of enhancing my physical abilities. Consequently, I have witnessed significant improvement in my overall capabilities as a player," he shared with We.
During his loan spell at St Andrew's, there were both low and high points. It marked his inaugural season in senior football, which was momentarily disrupted by his participation in the World Cup. However, it was evident that valuable lessons were acquired, including humility.
"Now I grasp the significance of every detail and the necessity to put in extra effort," he admitted. "Even if you consider yourself highly skilled in a certain area, there will always be someone superior. Hence, you must exert yourself to the utmost." These qualities remain ingrained in him.
"I believe it has become an integral part of my playing style," he further noted, alluding to his work ethic and physicality. "Even when faced with opponents who possess greater physical strength, it only propels me to become more assertive in order to secure possession. Afterwards, I can showcase my technical prowess."
There were glimpses of his ability in the past week. In addition to scoring a goal at Old Trafford, Mejbri also impressed with his outside-of-the-boot pass to Marcus Rashford late in the Burnley match, almost resulting in an assist. He also demonstrated excellent ball control, completing all but two of his passes in that game.
However, it is his off-the-ball work that truly stands out. Mejbri exemplifies the attitude that Ten Hag is trying to instill in the squad, which is why the Dutch coach praised him for doing "the perfect job" against Burnley.
He embodied perpetual motion, yet his running was purposeful, meeting Ten Hag's pressing requirements. He swiftly closed down right from the start and recorded an additional four pressures within just the second minute, according to the Second Spectrum data.
By the conclusion, he tallied an impressive 104 pressures, surpassing any other player in a Premier League match this season. Taking into account his brief appearance against Brighton, Mejbri maintains an average of 100 pressures per 90 minutes. The closest contender on the list is Rasmus Hojlund with 79 pressures.
This is the type of football that Ten Hag desires to witness, embodying those renowned regulations and principles. Mejbri was also not casually jogging. Second Spectrum records the quantity of high-intensity pressing situations - those where the player exerting pressure maintains a consistent speed of over 25 kilometers per hour.
He tops that list too.
Ten Hag emphasized the significance of pressing when I spoke to him recently. He believes that to maintain control and dominate opponents, proper pressing is essential. His vision is centered around proactive and dynamic football, of which pressing plays a crucial role.
However, United's issues, ranging from external factors to strained relationships, have deprived Ten Hag of key personnel, hindering his ability to execute his preferred style of play.
Injuries forced him to bring in Mejbri and Jonny Evans, who both performed exceptionally well against Burnley. However, United supporters don't have high hopes that either player will provide a long-term solution to the club's challenges. Nonetheless, if this young player can ignite something in the crowd and invigorate a squad in desperate need of a boost, he may unexpectedly become the catalyst that the team and coach need to turn their season around.
