Ralf Rangnick made a double change with 10 minutes to play in Manchester United's match against Chelsea on Thursday. Juan Mata and Phil Jones, who are both on borrowed time at the club, were substituted on for Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic.
United had contended with an injury crisis ahead of the match and four teenagers from the academy - Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal Mejbri, Shola Shoretire and Alejandro Garnacho - were on the bench. Although Rangnick eventually handed Garnacho his debut with just a few minutes to play, his decision to introduce Mata and Jones over the youngsters on the bench didn't make much sense.
United have been open to offers for Jones, 30, for some time now. The centre-back has no future at the club while Mata, 34, is set to leave on a free transfer in just a few weeks. Rangnick's decision to introduce Jones could be explained by the German waiting to see the game out, however, the decision to play Mata over 19-year-old Hannibal was particularly hard to understand.
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Hannibal was named United's U23s' Player of the Year last term. He made his first-team debut against Wolves on the final day of last season shortly after winning that award and supporters were desperate to see more of him across the summer months.
That hasn't happened. Hannibal started the season in the academy but he sustained an injury in mid-September, which halted any momentum he was hoping to build. The youngster returned to full fitness in November, playing 70 minutes for United's U23s, before he received the call to represent Tunisia at the Arab Cup. That was an opportunity the player couldn't refuse.
Hannibal featured heavily in the Arab Cup as Tunisia reached the final of the competition. It's understood that Hannibal had the opportunity to take a holiday between the Arab Cup and the African Cup of Nations that was held in January, but that he chose to return to Manchester instead in order to train with the senior squad. That's indicative of the type of character he is.
Although the midfielder only played a small role for Tunisia at AFCON, his performances had caught Rangnick's eye. He was promoted to the first team squad, but he's actually only played seven senior minutes this season and that needs to change.
There was a temptation to throw the club's youngsters into the starting lineup against Chelsea. While that would have been a popular choice among supporters, it was inadvisable against the third-best team in the Premier League. United now have three games remaining - Brentford, Brighton and Crystal Palace - and those are the fixtures that the youngsters should play in.
Hannibal needs to start against Brentford. The majority of the players at United this season have started by default, not merit. With just three games remaining, it's time for Rangnick to give youth a chance. United have absolutely nothing to lose.
Fernandez is another player that must start against Brentford. The left-back made the matchday squad for the first time in his career on Thursday night and it makes no sense to start Alex Telles. The Brazilian has been awful this season and United should look to sell him if they're wanting to be taken seriously. Fernandez is raw but deserves to make his first-team debut.
The Spanish left-back could be the perfect candidate to be Luke Shaw's deputy next season. He's far from the finished article and there's still plenty of his game that needs to be worked on, but playing alongside Raphael Varane on Monday will certainly help.
Garnacho enjoyed a cameo against Chelsea and he should start this match in the absence of Sancho. Marcus Rashford started in midweek and his work rate was unacceptable and disappointing. Garnacho taking his place should be a wake-up call.
With three games remaining against non-elite opposition, it's time for United to give the youngsters the chance they deserve.
United's senior professionals have let the club down this season and they don't deserve to start.
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