Hannibal Mejbri may well need to convince Sevilla boss Quique Sanches Flores over his credentials at the Spanish side, according to reports.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gave the green light to Hannibal Mejbri’s move to Spanish giants Sevilla with the Tunisian looking for more game time away from the club.
During the first half of the season at Old Trafford, Hannibal was selected sparingly by the Dutchman with his impressive performances against Burnley and Crystal Palace not enough to earn him a regular starting place in the first team.
As a result, the midfielder was on the periphery and the Tunisian, who spent last season on loan at Birmingham City, was looking for more first-team opportunities.
Hannibal has to impress
According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, the Tunisian midfielder ‘must convince’ manager Quique Sanches Flores, who was formerly manager of Watford back in 2016.
During the January transfer window, Hannibal had the option of moving to Spain for the remainder of the season or moving to Sean Dyche’s Everton but the midfielder decided to move to La Liga.
However, that has proven to be a questionable decision so far for the midfielder as he has featured in just 36 minutes in La Liga, and picked up two bookings.
The midfielder is ‘already aiming’ for a first-team spot, but has ‘hardly counted’ for the manager so far, writes the Spanish newspaper, essentially implying that the Tunisian has not featured much in the thought process of the Sevilla boss.
The Sevilla coach has also reportedly given the 20-year-old ‘several warnings’ and has told the youngster that he has to ‘learn what it takes to make it at Sevilla’.
Hannibal needs chances
The deal to take Hannibal to the Spanish side included a buy option but, at this current moment in time, it could be unlikely that Sevilla will take up that option in the midfielder’s deal.
Sevilla are currently having injury problems in the engine room so this weekend may well be a chance for the Tunisian to impress, when they face Atletico Madrid.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
