Robbie Savage disagrees with Gary Neville comments on Man United youngster Hannibal Mejbri

Robbie Savage has questioned whether Hannibal Mejbri’s praise for his inconsistent cameo performance in Manchester United’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool was warranted.

The 19-year-old came on for the final ten minutes of the game and made a number of strong challenges on Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson, earning him a yellow card in the process. Gary Neville praised Hannibal, calling him “the only player on the night who established that he had the heart and soul to play for Manchester United Football Club.”

Others agreed with Neville, but Savage — the father of Hannibal’s United Under-23 teammate Charlie Savage — isn’t so sure. Writing in his column in the Mirror, he said: “Has it really come to this at Manchester United – where we are supposed to celebrate a 19-year-old kid’s excitable cameo in a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool?

“I’ve been following United at every level for the past 30 years – as a YTS, a father, and an opponent – and I’ve never been more disappointed by them.” In a derisory performance at Anfield, at least Hannibal Mejbri made his presence felt.”

“I would disagree with Gary,” he continued. Yes, it’s encouraging to see a young player given a chance to shine, but Hannibal could have been sent off on another night, which would have solved nothing.

Later, Neville apologized for his remarks and realized Hannibal had exceeded a boundary, a stance praised by Jurgen Klopp, who added, “I understand where he [Neville] is coming from.”