Hannibal Mejbri appears to be sticking at Manchester United, but he is aware that in order to get what he wants, he must play frequently.
Even though the summer transfer market was closed a week ago, Manchester United still needs to make some crucial decisions in the coming days.
In the closing days of the transfer market, United concentrated on making a wild sprint to try and sign new players; now, the emphasis must be on trying to sell the extra squad members they have available.
Donny van de Beek might be traveling to Turkey in the near future, and Eric Bailly has already left for Besiktas. Additionally, a third United player might join them.
Hannibal Mejbri’s career is still at a difficult crossroads since he is ineffective in the youth system but is also not yet ready to be fully unleashed in the first squad.
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The 20-year-old attracted a lot of interest during the summer transfer window, but Erik ten Hag was hesitant to let him go because United itself needed more midfield alternatives.
The player doesn’t seem to benefit from that, even though it might be in United’s best interests. Hannibal has already played a full match for the U21 team and has only been on the bench for one of the first four Premier League games.
He has previously demonstrated his abilities at the younger level and wasn’t even present when a young team defeated Stockport in the EFL Trophy on penalties last month. If he isn’t playing frequently at any level, it begs the issue of why they felt the need to keep him.
Jalel Kadri, the head coach of Tunisia, recently cautioned Hannibal, who is currently serving on international service, that if he does not play frequently, his spot in the national team may be in jeopardy. After experiencing it for the first time with Birmingham last season, the player himself wants to do so.
Of course, the ideal scenario would be for Hannibal to receive those regular minutes at United, but that seems unlikely given that they added two new midfielders during the summer transfer window.
The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, who is highly regarded by Ten Hag and may now be ahead of him in the midfield pecking order, does not assist Van van Beek’s case even if he leaves in the final days of the Turkish transfer season.
United may contend that Hannibal’s chance won’t come until the League Cup and Champions League seasons get underway, but by then, Mainoo and Mason Mount’s recovery from injuries might have strengthened their midfield options.
Although there is still a compelling case for the Tunisian to be allowed to move on loan, there isn’t much time left, and United has been hesitant to approve any deals this summer.
According to reports, United recently turned down a loan request from Besiktas, who wanted to take advantage of their later transfer deadline. There is still time for a fresh offer because the Turkish transfer window is still open until September 15.
With only six days left with Hannibal experiencing additional anxiety that his international role may be in jeopardy, every offer that is made needs to be carefully examined, with the player’s desire potentially taking precedence over the club’s.
Ten Hag admires Hannibal and is fully aware of his enormous potential, but he won’t be able to realize it unless he has the opportunities he so desperately wants.
