Manchester United brought in an army of highly-rated youngsters as part of a concentrated recruitment drive when Brexit was about to kick in.
Nearly five years from that moment, that drive can be considered an unqualified success, with Alejandro Garnacho the crown jewel of that crop.
Alvaro Fernandez and Willy Kambwala also made a name for themselves, albeit not at United, but have secure professional careers at the top level now.
Marc Jurado finds himself back in Spain with Espanyol but at the time, Hannibal was the player who came in as the highest-rated.
From Monaco for a fee potentially rising to nearly £10 million, it was a huge show of trust in the then 16-year-old’s ability.
After multiple loan spells, he finds himself at a crossroads at Old Trafford…
Hannibal on his future
The Tunisian international had a pre-season to forget, reaching the nadir when he didn’t even come on vs Liverpool in the last game of the pre-season.
It was a big message by Erik ten Hag on where the Hannibal stands in the pecking order at the club and a huge fall from grace for the player.
READ: Manchester United pre-season player ratings part II: Midfielders
In an interview with The National, Hannibal has now revealed his plans for the future after a nightmare loan spell at Sevilla from January till the end of last season.
He said he expected more playing time after he scored against Brighton last year but when he didn’t get it, he sought a loan move, ending up at Sevilla.
He said: “As a footballer, I just want to play and show myself. Every player will say the same. I’m tired of sitting on a bench watching others play.
“Last season was OK when I was at United, but I felt I could have had a little bit more game time after the Brighton game when I scored. As a player you always want more, so I decided to go on loan to Sevilla. I experienced a lot of things there.
“It didn’t go well but I feel like I learned a lot and that I’m more mature. I can feel that around the United players now.”
His previous loan spell, at Birmingham, was much better and many felt like that was the when he was primed for a breakout, but it never arrived.
He said: “I did good and felt progress at Birmingham. You progress when you get game time. When you play every week, it’s hard to go back to the bench.”
Almost all of that crop that Hannibal came through the ranks with is now either established at United or moved elsewhere for more first-team opportunities. The likes of Anthony Elanga and Teden Mengi have found the best version of themselves after betting on more first-team opportunities.
Hannibal said: “I was close with Anthony Elanga and Teden Mengi. I’ve seen them leave the club and succeed as Premier League players and I’m proud of them. They needed to play every week like I do, but it’s harder to do it at United.”
Unpacking Hannibal’s comments
It is clear from the player’s comments that he is frustrated about the current situation at the club and rightly so, but he also recognises his reality right now.
The midfield is packed right now, especially with the playing profile which is quite similar to Hannibal’s. The Tunisian international is an all-action midfielder who is more box-to-box than a complete destroyer, the profile United ideally need.
The need for a ball-playing midfielder was fulfilled by Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence, which has made the breakout of the likes of Maxi Oyedele unlikely.
He can’t start over Bruno Fernandes as the No. 10, and the all-action role is better carried out by Mason Mount anyway.
It has left Hannibal at a precarious place in his career where he needs to make a tough decision and follow the path of Mengi and Elanga.
The potential he showed early in his career which prompted United to splash the cash on him doesn’t disappear overnight.
Perhaps a change of scenery can unlock it again. That would be the best-case scenario for both the player and the club.
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