Erik ten Hag is considering wildcard option amid Manchester United problem

Erik ten Hag has a midfield dilemma at Manchester United following the recent injury of new addition Mason Mount against Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Chelsea man picked up an injury during United’s 2-0 loss to the North London side and will be unavailable until after the September international break.

Ten Hag’s side have games against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal before then and the Dutch manager will need to decide who will replace Mount in his starting team.

Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen remain the two main options to come in. Eriksen started alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes for the majority of last term.

The alternative of McTominay perhaps offers more intensity out of possession than the Dane, which could help United’s midfield in defensive transitions, but then is less able on the ball.

However, the United boss is reportedly also considering bringing Hannibal Mejbri into the squad as a wildcard option in that position against Forest.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News has reported that the 20-year-old midfielder is in contention to make Ten Hag’s squad for the upcoming Old Trafford fixture.

Hannibal played alongside Mount in the advanced number eight position during pre-season and impressed in several cameos. He would offer a mix of Eriksen’s on-ball quality and the out-of-possession qualities to perform in the same role as Mount.

The aforementioned report added that United have still not made a final decision on whether to keep the Tunisian international beyond the closure of the transfer window. It was however decided earlier this month that they would not sell him permanently, despite continued interest, with Borussia Dortmund one of the clubs registering their interest earlier this summer.

Hannibal spent last term on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship, making 38 league appearances. He scored once and assisted six times during his time at St. Andrew’s.