Ralf Rangnick says Hannibal will be part of Manchester United squad v Middlesbrough

Add as preferred source on Google

Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Hannibal will be part of Manchester United’s squad for the rest of the season.

Rangnick has also added that Hannibal will be in the matchday squad for the FA Cup match against Middlesbrough on Friday.

This does not mean he is guaranteed to make the bench, simply that he is training with the first team and will be considered for selection. The interim manager’s comments certainly make it seem likely that he will have some involvement.

Rangnick told the club website: “He will, from now on, regularly train with us and be a regular member of the squad. He will also be part of the squad for tomorrow’s cup game.

“To be honest, I haven’t seen that much of him as he was with the national team,” he replied, when asked if he’d been impressed in training. “I saw him play in the tournament, not the Africa Cup of Nations but the one before [the Arab Cup].

“I saw him play in the [Arab Cup] final and, from what I’ve seen so far, I think he’s a promising talent. He deserves to be part of the group for the rest of the season and also part of the group for tomorrow’s game.”

This is a major boost for Hannibal as he looks to step up his bid to establish himself as a Manchester United regular.

The Tunisia international made his first team debut on the final day of last season against Wolves, and also featured in pre-season.

The attacking midfielder can also benefit from Jesse Lingard not being available for Friday night’s game. Ralf Rangnick says he has been given extra time off.

Hannibal, 19, signed for Manchester United from Monaco at 16 and quickly stood out as a special talent at academy level.

With 11 international caps already, United need to give him a pathway to the first team, and similar to Anthony Elanga, manager Ralf Rangnick seems ready to do so.

• Alejandro Garnacho makes Man Utd admission with his first words as an Aston Villa player
• Benjamin Sesko breaks silence on comeback after finally being pictured in Man Utd training
• Elliot Anderson’s wages at Man City prove why Man Utd shouldn’t care about ‘kings of Manchester‘ swipe
• Marcus Rashford has come full circle since Man United fans slammed ‘dreadful’ Rosenborg display
• Rosenborg have two key advantages over Manchester United ahead of their pre-season friendly