Manchester United have waved goodbye to six players already on loan this January – including Hannibal Mejbri.
The Tunisian has joined La Liga side Sevilla until the end of the season, in a loan deal that includes an option to buy.
Manchester United are 99.9 per cent sure the wonderkid will be heading back to Old Trafford in the summer, so they hope this loan deal goes well for the 20-year-old.
Hannibal has bags of potential, but there are some things he does need to iron out in his game.
Neil Wood on Hannibal Mejbri
The midfielder has featured 10 times for Manchester United’s first-team squad but was one of the shining lights in the academy setup.
One man who spent a lot of time with him was Neil Wood. The former Manchester United youth coach believes the loan spell at Sevilla will do him the world of good.
“Hannibal is a great kid,” Wood, who coached him for two years, told The National. “He has a good football intelligence and will give everything for the good of the team. He’s a really likeable lad once you connect with him. He will go above and beyond for you.”
Wood, previously of Salford, was one of the catalysts in Hannibal’s development and definitely knows him better than most. This means he also has identified flaws.
What Hannibal needs to improve at Sevilla
Hannibal is a fantastic prospect, but there are certain aspects of his game he definitely does need to improve on. Wood identified some of these.
He adds: “He’s technically gifted but can also add more goals and assists to his game. He obviously needs to improve with the petulance-side of his game because he leaves himself open by taking cheap yellow cards, but I wish him well and think he’ll do well.”
This was something majorly apparent at United, his temperament was an issue. However, due to his age, this is something that can be ironed out.
Hannibal will be looking to help serial strugglers Sevilla, who currently sit in 17th place in La Liga. We wish him all the best whilst out on loan.
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