Hannibal Mejbri has admitted that Manchester United players were raving about Sevilla before his move to the La Liga side.
January has been a month of departures rather than incomings for United.
Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho and Alvaro Fernandez have all completed loan departures but permanent exits in the summer wouldn’t surprise anybody.
Another loan move was secured earlier this week with Hannibal Mejbri completing his move to Sevilla.
United have allowed the Tunisian to go out on loan with a £17.2million purchase option, but United will hold a £30million buy-back clause.
Hannibal could still have a future at United but he has now been presented as a Sevilla player – and has opened up on his move.
Hannibal Mejbri shares what Manchester United players have told him about Sevilla
The midfielder has now told Marca that he has admired Sevilla from afar over the years having seen United face Sevilla in European competitions.
Sevilla dumped United out of the Europa League last season and Hannibal highlighted that the game in Andalusia was ‘crazy’.
Hannibal also admitted taking advice and comments from United players before making the move, with his teammates suggesting that the fans and atmosphere at Sevilla are exceptional.
We can imagine that former loanee Sergio Reguilon was leading that charge having spent time on loan at Sevilla earlier in his career.
Hannibal is now hoping to have a strong bond with the Sevilla fans as he prepares to start his La Liga career, hoping the the supporters love him.
“Sevilla has won many games against United in recent years,” said Mejbri. “I wasn’t in the team then, but I saw the games, the quality of the team, the fans… the game here was crazy. Before coming, my United teammates told me about the fans, the atmosphere there… It’s nice to play for a team with fans like this, because they help you when you’re in difficult times.”
“I’ve heard a lot about them and I’m looking forward to seeing them and playing for them. I hope they like me as much as I like them,” he added.
Hannibal shares his favoured position
There has been plenty of discussion about Hannibal’s best position.
Hannibal aggression and tenacity could make him a defensively-minded player, but his energy means a box-to-box role or even driving number 10 role could be ideal.
Hannibal has now admitted that he would ideally like to play as a box-to-box player or even further forward, believing that he can make an impact breaking forward.
Initially suggesting that he would play anywhere for the team, Hannibal had to be honest and admit that he likes play in a role which makes a difference at both ends of the pitch.
“To be honest, I think I can help in any position. As a footballer, the most important thing for me is to play. I can play in any position, although I have to say my preference, it would be like 8 or like 10, in the centre of the field. In any case, I am happy if I am on the field. I think I can help in defence and attack. Everyone likes to score and assist, but the most important thing is to play as a team, defend and attack as a team,” said Hannibal.
Still only 20, Hannibal has plenty of time to figure out his absolute best role and hopefully grow into it over the coming years.
Maybe we will see him move into a more defensive role later in his career, but Hannibal is seemingly confident in his abilities to impact the game going forward – and that is something United will be watching in Spain with that buy-back clause in place.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
