Manchester United have made the right choice in selling Hannibal Mejbri despite the backlash since the deal has been confirmed.
The deal which saw Hannibal Mejbri move to Sevilla on loan was confirmed this week with Erik ten Hag and Manchester United allowing the Tunisian midfielder to move away from the club for more game time.
Mejbri started just one Premier League game for the Red Devils, a 1-0 win over Burnley, and it will be a good move for the 20-year-old to gain valuable first-team experience.
Sevilla have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer for £16 million and United also have a buyback clause which is valid until 2026 and a significant sell-on clause.
Wood on Mejbri
Neil Wood was speaking to The National’s Andy Mitten about the former AS Monaco midfielder’s move to La Liga and what he needs to add to his game to go up a level.
“Hannibal is a great kid,” Wood said. “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.
“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.”
Mejbri, as mentioned, has been mostly limited to substitute appearances for the Red Devils this season but did start the two Carabao Cup games United played this campaign against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
United right to loan Mejbri
For a player like Mejbri, who can play as an attacking midfielder or in a box-to-box role, he needs first-team minutes to develop and iron out his weaknesses.
There is no doubting his quality but, as Wood mentions, his temperament would often get him in trouble with the Tunisian being perhaps a tad fortunate to remain on the pitch against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup defeat.
Going to a side like Sevilla, who are 16th place in La Liga, could well be ideal for the 20-year-old. Having to battle and play in a team that has struggled could be the making of him.
The recent decision to make the club’s loan deals heavily incentivised in their favour is a good move by the club. If the Tunisian impresses, United will make a good amount of money on the midfielder with there being an option to buy him back and sell for even more.
If the Spanish side doesn’t take up the option because of poor form or a lack of funds, then United will get a player back in the summer who will have six months of first-team development under his belt.
This deal is a win-win for Hannibal and indeed United.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
