Hannibal Mejbri produced a rather bizarre performance debut after leaving Premier League giants Manchester United for Sevilla with one La Liga expert questioning not only his attitude but also his positional sense.
Like his near-namesake, Hannibal Mejbri is not averse to bringing a bit of ‘bite’ to proceedings.
But his cameo performance off the bench during Sevilla’s 5-1 hammering by surprise title challengers Girona was one that would have even everyone’s favourite cannibal wincing, the Manchester United loanee booked just seconds after coming off the bench and perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card on his La Liga bow.
Manchester United loan Hannibal Mejbri to Sevilla
“Moaning at his team-mates, he was literally bullying (Adria) Pedrosa at left-back!” Terry Gibson, a former Manchester United forward in the 1980s, tells El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast.
“Hannibal came on on the left side of midfield and went roaming all over the pitch. You have to admire him for wanting to get on the ball, but his positional play was all over the gaffe. You’re looking at thinking ‘(Sevilla) have lost the ball now and he’s on the right wing!’.
“He’s got booked in the first minute and I was thinking he was going to be sent off. He didn’t, but every time you saw him he was moaning at a team-mate and that’s the last thing they need right now.
Hannibal certainly has more to his game than bone-rattling challenges – as his stunning strike during Man United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the start of the season shows – but there is a fine line between passion and needless aggression.
And it’s a line Hannibal, throughout his young career, has strayed across more often than necessary..
Lessons to learn
“Some young player who couldn’t get a game for Man United coming into Sevilla… Sometimes it’s tough and the last thing you need is a new team-mate jumping on your back and pointing out every mistake you make,” Gibson adds, the 2023 Europa League champions only one place above the drop zone.
“It’s going to be interesting to see any impact the signings make that they’ve picked up in the transfer window.”
Quique Sanchez Flores, Sevilla’s head coach, described Hannibal as a ‘very technically gifted’ player following his arrival in Andalusia. The Tunisia international would be well advised putting his passing range and guile to good use in the midst of a relegation battle, showcasing his brains as well as his brawn.
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