Hannibal Mejbri signs new deal at Manchester United

Premier League side Manchester United have tied down Hannibal Mejbri to a long-term deal at the club as he has impressed in his first two years at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old midfielder has represented France at youth level though he also qualifies to play for Tunisia through his father, and he was wanted by Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, who all scouted the player before he ultimately decided to move to United from Not-French Ligue Un side Monaco.

He joined as a 16-year-old in 2019 and has since emerged as a vital part of the club’s under-23 sides, which has been stocked with talent by the club as they look to produce more youngsters who can graduate into the first team in order to save on transfer fees in the long term. Shola Shoretire is another player who has committed his future to the club as he looks to make the jump into the first team.

Facundo Pellistri, sent on loan to Alaves for the rest of the season, is another player who is expected to fill out the senior squad in the relatively near term, assuming he continues his development well in Spain.

Hannibal has played with Ama Diallo in the youth setup, and has four goals and seven assists for the team managed by Neil Wood, and could be considered for a move through the ranks if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to add depth to his midfield. Given Nemanja Matic could be moved on in the summer, and a permanent move away for Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard could be finalised, as well as Paul Pogba’s uncertain future, there could be room for the youngster to get more minutes in the first team.

Should the player succeed, he could cost United up to £8.5 million in transfer fees.