Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to reward Manchester United starlet Hannibal Mejbri with his debut against Wolves… and the 18-year-old will become the FIFTEENTH academy graduate to be given a chance by the boss
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to give Hannibal Mejbri his Manchester United debut
- The French youngster has impressed with a standout campaign for the U23s
- Solskjaer confirmed that Mejbri and Shola Shoretire will be given minutes
- He is expected to wring the changes ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final
- Mejbri will be the 15th academy graduate to be given his debut by Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to hand Manchester United starlet Hannibal Mejbri his Premier League bow against Wolves on the final day, the 15th youngster the Norwegian has blooded in the first team since his arrival.
The Red Devils travel to the Black Country to take on Wolves on Sunday afternoon, but with Champions League qualification sewn up and a trip to Gdansk for the Europa League final on Wednesday, Solskjaer is expected to wring the changes.
The United boss has already handed senior minutes to the likes of 17-year-old Shola Shoretire as well as Anthony Elanga and Amad in recent weeks.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed he will hand first team minutes to youngsters at Wolves
Hannibal Mejbri has impressed for the U23s and has been on the outskirts of the squad
Mejbri was named the club’s Under-23 Player of the Year this week, while Shoretire scooped the Young Player of the Year gong, and Solskjaer revealed that the pair are set to feature at Molineux this weekend.
‘They’ve had good seasons,’ he told the club’s official website. ‘Both of them. Hannibal and Shola, both of them will be involved. Maybe we can get some minutes in them.’
If Mejbri is given playing time in the West Midlands, he will be the 15th academy graduate to be given a chance in the first team by Solskjaer, alongside the likes of Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.
The Frenchman (right) was named Under 23 Player of the Year at the club’s awards this week
The 18-year-old is viewed as an attacking midfielder who can occupy positions across the three forward positions behind a centre forward, although Under-23s boss Neil Wood says he has played Mejbri deeper at times to instil discipline into his game.
‘I think he’s been on an incredible journey really,’ he said. ‘When he first came up, he was full of energy and was running everywhere, sometimes to the detriment of the team.
‘His discipline has improved greatly, on and off the ball, and his defensive responsibility. He’s really starting to understand that a little bit more.
Solskjaer says Mejbri and Shola Shoretire will get minutes against Wolves at Molineux
Mejbri will be the 15th academy graduate to be handed his debut by Solskjaer, and will hope to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mason Greenwood
‘It was difficult at the start as the physicality was a step up for him but he’s a tough kid. I think he can take the knocks and can look after himself.
‘I feel it’s important he has a few positions he can play in and a few positions he can excel in and make an impact, rather than just be a no. 10 or a higher midfielder.
‘It’s important, at times I’d drop him into a lower midfield role to see if he could play with a bit of discipline, could work hard, tackle and get on the ball and build up momentum and be sharper. He played left, no. 10 a bit of a false 9, a free role, dropping in between to take up positions.
‘There have been a number of challenges, different challenges, but I think, on the whole, he has done very well with it.’
Should the Red Devils avoid defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Sunday, they will have gone the whole season without suffering a league defeat on the road, a remarkable feat.
