Hannibal Mejbri is definitely a player with a huge future. Perhaps, though, he’s ready right now…
Manchester United Football Club have always been at the forefront of developing young talents. That will never change.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s willingness to utilise that mantra is amongst the reasons why he’s doing a brilliant job. The academy is jam-packed with quality, with the Baby Faced Assassin hoovering up some elite teenagers.
Amongst them is Hannibal Mejbri, who cost around £8million to sign from AS Monaco a couple of years ago. At the time, such a fee for a 16-year-old felt a bit excessive, though it didn’t take us fans long to see why he’s absolutely worth that risk.
From minute one, Hannibal looked the part. Brilliant on the ball, two-footed, a great footballing brain and pretty strong for someone whose body hasn’t completely filled out yet.
It wouldn’t take the Tunisian international long to prove he was already too good for U18 football, quickly making the jump up to the U23s. Again, Hannibal has impressed at PL2 level, looking like he’s a cut above that age group, too.
For an 18-year-old in a new country, to make such a rapid rise through the ranks is mightily impressive, with Solskjaer seemingly having big plans for the midfielder.
He’s already in first-team training with regularity, having been pictured with the main group again yesterday. Perhaps the emergence of this teenage star is why United haven’t made the move for a midfielder this summer?
Likened in style to Paul Pogba, Mejbri plays with a real freedom. This guy has massive potential, while football at U23 level has definitely helped him. Week-in-week-out, Hannibal gets kicked about the turf, but he just gets up and carries on with it. That attitude will serve him well as he makes the jump through into the Premier League level.
A bit like Mason Greenwood, I see Hannibal as someone who is just too good to be loaned out. He’s going to be slowly introduced into the mix over the next twelve months and timing-wise, it couldn’t be any better as Pogba’s contract seems to be winding down to its conclusion.
I think it’s pretty fair to expect Hannibal to make a few substitute appearances this term, while I wouldn’t rule out him starting in a handful of cup cames – providing the draws are friendly enough to United.
This boy definitely feels like the future of United. He’s in that same bracket as Anthony Elanga as someone who is ready to make a mark right now. As per usual, though, Solskjaer will adopt the cautious approach, particularly with young players.
Who knows, perhaps Manchester United’s Pogba replacement is already at the club, in the form of another Frenchman…
Do you think Hannibal Mejbri has what it takes to make it at Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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