Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd player ‘a bit like Bruno Fernandes’ set to be sold after Mason Mount transfer
Manchester United are on the verge of sealing a transfer deal for Chelsea star Mason Mount.
Bruno Fernandes: Merson on his future as Man Utd captain
Manchester United star Hannibal Mejbri has previously been compared to Bruno Fernandes. However, the Tunisia international is now apparently in line to leave Old Trafford following the club’s decision to sign Mason Mount. The 24-year-old will undergo a medical with the Red Devils on Monday ahead of his imminent move from Chelsea.
Manchester United agreed a fee for Mount last week, with the England international poised to move to Old Trafford in a huge £60million move.
And the Manchester Evening News say Hannibal is one player who is now in line to be shown the door.
It’s claimed United will listen to any offer that comes in for the 20-year-old, who blew hot and cold during a loan spell at Birmingham last season.
Borussia Dortmund have an interest in Hannibal, who was previously compared to Fernandes by former Red Devils star Ben Thornley.
Writing in 2020, Thornley said: “He is a little bit like Fernandes in that he does get himself into places where defenders are reluctant to come out and mark him.
Read more Man Utd round-up with Sheikh Jassim U-turn and Greenwood making extra money [LATEST NEWS]
“He takes a kick and he draws fouls as well and he can go either way. He is a very, very talented player.
“I do think that sometimes his temperament needs to be curtailed a little bit.
“We like a fiery character, no doubt about that, but it's just knowing where to draw the line before you start getting told off by the referee and cards start coming out, and before it affects you on the pitch.
“If you're thinking too hard about remonstrating with the referee it's going to take away from what you're supposed to be doing on the pitch.
“So he just needs to get that balance right. We love a fiery character, we've had plenty at our club.
Don't miss...
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag wants his own Ruud van Nistelrooy transfer this summer [TRANSFER NEWS]
Phil Jones 'made two complaints' as details emerge following Man Utd exit [NEWS]
Ten Hag ‘facing three years to untangle Man Utd mess’ left by Woodward [LATEST]
“Mejbri is definitely one, but he is also very, very talented.”
Now, however, he’s likely to try and realise his potential away from Manchester.
And Hannibal isn’t the only player who could be shown the door in the wake of Mount’s imminent arrival.
Fred is also facing an uncertain future.
The Brazil international has often struggled for consistency during his spell at the club, with Jose Mourinho recruiting him in 2018.
And with Fred already down in Erik ten Hag’s pecking order, a parting of ways seems to be on the cards.
United would ideally keep hold of Scott McTominay given he’s their youngest senior midfielder.
But the Scotland international may go if a suitable offer comes in, with Newcastle and West Ham both linked.
Another player with an uncertain future at the club is Donny van de Beek.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined through injury ever since January, while he’s struggled to make his mark in English football since joining from Ajax in 2020.
Hopes were high that the appointment of Ten Hag would help the midfielder rediscover his best form.
Yet there’s a sense his time at the club is coming to an end, with AC Milan showing interest.
United recently saw Marcel Sabitzer return to Bayern Munich following his short loan stint.
And while a permanent deal for the Austria international is unlikely, the Red Devils are ‘keeping their options open’.