Some Man United careers єɴԀed against Athletic Bilbao whilst others are maybe just starting under Erik ten Hag.
Donny van de Beek’s Instagram post read, “Last pre-season game! Thank you Dublin.” It should also be his last game forManchester United.
The tone-deafness of footballers never ceases to amaze.Van de Beekgave the illusion that he had enjoyed himself in Ireland. His agent, Ali Dursun, commented with a love heart and fire emoji. Van de Beek misfired.
In reality, he was the only player hooked at half-time. His replacement,Hannibal Mejbri, got up to speed with his prompt pressing and was responsible for Aitor Paredes’s cynical red card.
Van de Beek has long resembled a Glyndebourne attєɴԀant who has turned up at Glastonbury by mistake. Games pass him by and United are in discussions to sell him to Real Sociedad.
The Dutchman’s card was marked two years ago when he sought the apparent comfort zone of Everton on loan. Van de Beek was mismanaged by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but also his agent at the time, Guido Albers.
A colleague once approached Albers for clarification on whether his client, Ronald Koeman, had accepted the Everton manager’s job. It was news to Albers. Koeman had switched agencies and they negotiated with Everton.
While Van de Beek’s United career is єɴԀing Mejbri’s may just be starting. His debut was more than two years ago and there have been only two more appearances since. His human-wrecking ball cameo in the 4-0 thumping by Liverpool at Anfield in April 2022 could have єɴԀed prematurely, too.
Mejbri’s last appearance for United – and sole start – was in Ralf Rangnick’s final match as interim manager at Crystal Palace. His loan to Birmingham last season was logical and encouraging; United only arrange Championship loans for academy graduates they believe have the ability to return to the senior squad.
Back at United, he has had ɾєɑȿօɴable exposure across pre-season, starting against Leeds United in Oslo and Lyon in Edinburgh. On the tour of the United States, Mejbri was relegated down to the Under-21s for their callow defeat to Wrexham in San Diego.
Mejbri warmed up at half-time at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday and his first action was to advance an attack. Without him, United might not have avoided defeat.
Mejbri came on at half time against Athletic
“They deserve it; otherwise, we don’t line them up,” Ten Hag said of the youngsters afterwards. “When you start pre-season, we have to give them opportunities, but they have to take it.
“They are brave, and that is what I like. Be brave, play football, and show yourself. If you want to play in the first team, you have to take responsibility in and out of possession, and those young guys are doing it.”
Ten Hag did not have to namecheck the “brave” youngster. Mejbri has been kicked from pillar to post during his four years in England from academy to senior level. He was fouled 90 times in his first 29 junior games for United and opponents sense an easy target to wind up.
A glance at the first FA Youth Cup teamsheet Mejbri graced against Lincoln in December 2019 shows three outfield starters are still at United. Will Fish is out on loan again and Teden Mengi’s race might be run at United after two long-term injuries. Mejbri is the only one involved in the senior set-up.
In Ten Hag’s quest for better squad depth, Mejbri would be a worthy squad member beyond the transfer window’s closure. United need an intense alternative to Fernandes as cover and Mejbri is suited to the hustle and bustle of English football.
Provided Mejbri is fit for the season opener against Wolves on Monday, he should be assured of a bench berth. He will have to earn the right to stay there but having made his first career appearance against Wolves, his United career could truly start against the same opponents.
Whilst Van de Beek’s has єɴԀed.
