Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri has promised he will “show what I can do” when he eventually breaks into the first team.
The silky midfielder is considered to be one of the most promising and exciting players in the United youth teams. He has caught the eye with his performances for the U23s, as well as various training sessions at the Reds’ Carrington Training Base, where he once turned experienced midfielder Fred inside out.
While he has already amassed 11 international caps for Tunisia, he is yet to make his debut for the club, despite being promoted into the first team squad by Ralf Rangnick in February. However, the 19-year-old remains undeterred in his mission to break into United’s star-studded squad.
“All the experience to gain, I’ll take it, whether it be in training, on the bench or, even if I’ve not had the chance play yet,” he told TN Sport. "But maybe in the future… As soon as I get the chance, I’ll take the experience I have and I’ll show what I can do.”
Hannibal only turned 19-years-old at the start of the year but he is already an established international for Tunisia. He started every match for Mondher Kebaier’s side in the FIFA Arab Cup and also made two appearances for the north Africans in the Africa Cup of Nations.
And Hannibal also stated Rangnick encouraged him to pursue more senior international appearances, ahead of Tunisia’s vital World Cup qualifier matches against Mali. “Of course, he (Rangnick) encourages us, because the more players that go to the World Cup, the better it is for the club, but no special message,” Hannibal added.
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Hannibal has contributed one goal and two assists in seven Premier League 2 appearances for the Red Devils U23 side. He is known for his silky dribbling skills and laser like vision, as well as his ability to affect play in the final attacking third
His finest display of the season came in United U23s 5-2 home victory over Derby County U23s, where he left his mark on the match with a goal and an assist. His performances in the youth team as well as his mature displays for Tunisia prompted Rangnick to promote him into the first team squad at the start of February,
"We have Hannibal included in the squad,” Rangnick said shortly after Hannibal returned from the AFCON in Cameroon. "He will, from now on, regularly train with us and be a regular member of the squad.
"To be honest, I haven't seen that much of him as he was with the national team. I saw him play in the tournament, not the Africa Cup of Nations but the one before [the Arab Cup].
"I saw him play in the final and, from what I've seen so far, I think he's a promising talent. He deserves to be part of the group for the rest of the season."
Manchester United fell to sixth position after Tottenham Hotspur's recent 3-1 victory over West Ham United. While the Reds are only trailing fourth placed Arsenal by four points, the Gunners will extend the gap to seven if they win their game in hand.
