It was a pre-season to forget for Manchester United academy graduate Hannibal Mejbri.
After returning from a nightmare loan spell at Sevilla, Hannibal failed to make an impression in front of the coaches on tour. The 21-year-old didn’t even come on against Liverpool in the last game of the US tour.
Hannibal joined Sevilla on loan last January until the end of the season.
That alone tells you the Tunisia international is not part of Erik ten Hag’s plans for the upcoming season.
In an interview with The National, Hannibal reveals his plans for the future after a difficult stint on loan at Sevilla.
Hannibal said: “As a footballer, I just want to play and show myself. Every player will say the same. I’m tired of sitting on a bench watching other players.
“Last season was OK when I was at United, but I felt I could have had a little bit more game time after the Brighton game when I scored. As a player you always want more, so I decided to go on loan to Sevilla. I experienced a lot of things there.
“It didn’t go well but I feel like I learned a lot and that I’m more mature. I can feel that around the United players now.”
There were reports of training ground clashes shortly after Hannibal joined Sevilla, so it’s good to hear that he feels more mature since then.
Although Hannibal struggled at Sevilla, he enjoyed a much more positive campaign on loan at Birmingham City the season prior.
He added: “I did good and felt progress at Birmingham. You progress when you get game time. When you play every week, it’s hard to go back to the bench.”
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