Copenhagen star details call with Manchester United starlet ahead of Champions League clash

Bayern Munich's French defender #02 Dayot Upamecano (L) and FC Copenhagen's Tunisian forward #30 Elias Achouri vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between FC Copenhagen and FC Bayern Munich in Copenhagen, Denmark on October 3, 2023. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United take on FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night in the Champions League and one of their star players has revealed details of a pre-match phone call with Hannibal Mejbri.

Copenhagen star Elias Achouri, who is Hannibal’s team-mate in the Tunisia national team, has sent the Manchester United starlet a warning ahead of the match.

However, United must win their Group A showdown to keep their hopes of progression alive after losing their first two games of the group phase against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

We’ll be hoping that the Bundesliga champions beat Galatasaray home and away, but we must the same against Copenhagen.

Speaking to Danish magazine Tipsbladet ahead of the game, Achouri said: “It will be a huge moment for me and one of the greatest in my career. I need to stay focused and not let it get into my head. I’m a professional and I’m going to Old Trafford to help the team and get a great result for the club.

“He told me to chill a bit and not kill their players! I told him that I have to or at least give it a try.”

The 24-year-old added: “I told Hannibal that we are going to win the match. I think we are going to exchange shirts after the match because he’s my friend. It’s going to be a cool moment for both of us.

“I called Hannibal after the draw for the group stages and during the international break we talked about the match as well, so it will be exciting. I know him very well from the national team and both grew up in France.”

Hannibal is unlikely to start against Copenhagen, with Mason Mount set to return to the line-up, although the Tunisia international could make an appearance from the bench if United require intensity in the middle of the pitch.

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