Transfer battle emerges for Hannibal Mejbri at Manchester United as AFCON plans shelved

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Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri will be allowed to leave the club on loan in the January Transfer window, according to reports.

Hannibal Mejbri has been incredibly unfortunate that he has not received more first-team opportunities with Mason Mount’s injury problems but the Tunisian has been limited to impact appearances.

Mejbri, who has been described as ‘exceptional’ this season, has been fit throughout the season and when he has been called upon, like the game against Burnley at Turf Moor, he impresses.

The Tunisian midfielder spent last season on loan at Birmingham City and was reportedly promised first-team opportunities this season but that hasn’t happened as frequently as he would have liked.

Mejbri available for loan

According to a post on X from Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Mejbri looks set for a January loan spell as he has not been called up for the Africa Cup of Nations squad with Tunisia.

He writes: “Hannibal Mejbri, not going to AFCON as he can leave Man Utd to go on loan in January.

“Understand 3 clubs want to sign him — they all want him available in Jan/Feb.”

The midfielder came off the bench against Aston Villa and actually put in a useful cameo with the 20-year-old managing the game as he kept the ball in the corner and was drawing fouls from United’s frustrated opponents.

Three teams are believed to be interested in the midfielder according to Romano with Sevilla, SC Freiburg and French side Olympique Lyonnais are thought to be keen.

Despite Mejbri being linked with loan moves away from the club, it is thought that the Tunisian is also in talks to extend his current contract at Old Trafford, which expires in 2024.

Loaning the midfielder to a side with more European pedigree could well be a smart move from the Red Devils as Mejbri is at the age now where he needs consistent first-team opportunities.

Hannibal battle for game time

After joining the club for £9.3 million in 2019, according to The Independent, Mejbri has struggled for game time in the years he has been at the club. This year has been the first season that the Tunisian has been involved in the first team at Old Trafford.

Since his positive cameos, which included a brilliant long-range effort against Brighton & Hove Albion, Mejbri has been limited to just 133 minutes in five Premier League games.

His energy was causing opposition teams problems and he dovetailed well with Mount against Galatasaray in the Champions League. A loan move, however, will be good for the midfielder.