In recent weeks Hannibal Mejbri has embedded himself as a regular in Birmingham City’s starting XI.
The Manchester United youngster is looking settled in a Championship side with just one defeat in their last seven games.
The past weekend asked a unique question of the Tunisia international – can he do it on a wet afternoon in Stoke?
The 19-year-old showed he can, helping Birmingham to a 2-1 away win over Stoke City in the pouring rain.
Hannibal Mejbri shines against Stoke
Hannibal played a key role in Birmingham’s victory, providing the assist for Harlee Dean’s winning goal in the second half.
He played 71 minutes in the win, while FotMob graded him as Birmingham’s top midfielder with a 8.0 rating.
The Manchester United loanee was comfortable taking players on, as he was challenging them out of possession.
Crucially he came out of this game without a booking too, having been substituted after just 54 minutes in the win over QPR a fortnight ago with his manager getting concerned over his temperament.
Playing in the Championship is a real test of character as well as ability for young footballers, and Hannibal is relishing getting stuck in.
He is now on two assists for the season, and he has won Birmingham fans over already, with six starts and seven appearances from the bench.
Hannibal is waiting confirmation that he will be in Tunisia’s World Cup squad. It seems likely, considering he was getting picked when he was in United’s under-23 team.
Now he is playing competitive football every week, he may shock his international boss when he turns up the tournament looking even sharper than before.
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