Ten Hag labels Manchester United youngster 'perfect' in win over Burnley
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said Hannibal Mejbri did a ‘perfect job’ as the 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday night.
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The Tunisia international made just his second Premier League start in the clash with the Clarets, alongside Casemiro and Scott McTominay in midfield.
A Bruno Fernandes volley was the difference between the sides as his spectacular strike was the only goal in a 1-0 win for Ten Hag’s men, but it was Mejbri that the Dutchman had fulsome praise for after the match.
On the string of injuries that have led to Mejbri getting a start, Ten Hag said: ‘Of course it’s a concern. You have so many injuries. You bring players in like [Rasmus] Holjund and you can’t bring them in slowly. They’re not used to playing together. Like Hannibal who did a perfect job.
‘Hopefully it gives us confidence. It’s only one win. Tuesday is the next game.’
Ten Hag added on Hojlund and first Mejbri: ‘Brought energy in the team but the pressing from Rasmus Hojlund was very good. We controlled the game in that spell.’
There were good performances from the youngsters, but also a grizzled veteran as Jonny Evans was an unlikely star of the show for the Red Devils.
After his surprise return to the club over the summer, the 35-year-old was in the starting XI due to injury problems and was impressive.
He was unlucky to have a goal disallowed, then turned provider as he aimed a brilliant long pass to set-up Fernandes’ superb volley.
Safe to say the Northern Irishman enjoyed his first Manchester United start since 2015, saying it was the best night of his life.
‘I loved every minute of it,’ he said. ‘Before the game you get a feeling, I couldn’t wait, just pure excitement. Coming up here on the bus I was buzzing. That was my 200th game for Man Utd, I never thought I would ever reach that figure – the best night of my life.’
Ten Hag said of the centre-back: ‘He showed personality. He was calm, composed, did everything right. Very good performance.’
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