'Let us down' - Former Man United ace who Gary Neville loves sent-off for horror tackle
Former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was shown a straight red card for a stamp during Burnley's Championship clash with Stoke City.
The Clarets saw their automatic promotion push dented as they were held to a goalless draw by the managerless Potters. They remain in second on goal difference, but Sheffield United have the chance to move into the top-two with a win over play-off rivals Sunderland on Wednesday night (8pm).
The Tunisian replaced Jeremy Sarmiento after 69 minutes, but just 18 minutes into his cameo, after catching Junior Tchamadeu in the midriff, referee Gavin Ward showed no hesitation to brandish a straight red.
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Hannibal completed a permanent move to Turf Moor back in August on a four-year contract, ending his five-year association at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old made 13 appearances during his time in the United first-team with loan spells at Birmingham City and La Liga side Sevilla before his Lancashire switch.
Since making that transfer, he has made 18 Championship appearances for Scott Parker's team, starting in over 50 per cent of their matches so far as they push for an immediate return to the Premier League.
It was Hannibal's second professional red card, and his first since 2021 when he was sent-off for a second bookable offence in United's EFL Trophy defeat to Lincoln City. Featuring for the Under-21s, he picked up two bookings in just four minutes after earning his first caution in the 87th minute.
Hannibal, who previously impressed ex-United captain Gary Neville with his tenacity, despite irking then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at the same time, is likely to serve at least a three-game ban for violent conduct, although it could be extended should the Football Association wish to intervene.
Speaking about his player, Burnley manager Parker said: "He's let us down today, he's let the team down, he's let myself down, he's let the staff down.
"He understands that, he's devastated and I'll deal with him and that situation.
"He's a young player and he's developing. He's a player that's on the line constantly and I would never want to take it out of him, because that makes him the player he is.
"But today he stepped across that line and we'll deal with it, show him where he's gone wrong. I'll help him through.
"I don't need to sit here and explain to Hannibal. That boy will be driving home in his car absolutely devastated with what he's done. We all made mistakes. I've made many in my life.
"This is a young man who's made a mistake and I think he understands that. He does understand that."