Blues manager John Eustace has explained what he believes Manchester United wonderkid Hannibal Mejbri will bring to Birmingham City.
The 16-time Tunisia international joined the former Premier League side on a season-long loan on Monday.
The 19-year-old midfielder made his debut for the Championship side in last night’s 2-1 defeat against Norwich City at St. Andrews.
Birmingham’s new number six came off the bench to play the last third of the game against Dean Smith’s Canaries.
Hannibal has made three first-team appearances for United since moving to Old Trafford in August 2019 from Monaco for a fee that could rise to £9.3million.
The Tunisian is embarking on his first loan move away from Manchester United and he is keen to secure first team football ahead of the winter World Cup.
After playing under Erik ten Hag during pre-season, United’s number 46 didn’t form a part of any of the four Premier League matchday squads.
John Eustace explains what Hannibal Mejbri will bring to Birmingham City
Speaking after last night’s defeat to Norwich, Eustace believes there is a lot to come from Hannibal and the Blues boss hopes the Tunisian can entertain the Birmingham faithful.
When asked what Hannibal will bring to Birmingham, Eustace said: “Energy, enthusiasm, he is a Manchester United player, technically he is very good and, hopefully, he can entertain the crowd a little bit and get us up the pitch and also work very hard off the ball as well.
“He is a 19-year-old and hasn’t been on loan before. So, this is his first experience of that at this level – very difficult.
“Lot’s to come from him but he has also got a lot to learn as well.”
Hannibal will no doubt be targeting his first start for Birmingham when Eustace’s side travel to face Preston North End on Saturday, in a game which could see the talented teenager come up against his Manchester United teammate Alvaro Fernandez.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
