Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri has had a disappointing season after it began so strongly.
Back in late September it looked like Hannibal Mejbri had made his Manchester United breakthrough.
Erik ten Hag did not persist with the Tunisia international and when the opportunity to go out on loan arose, he was keen to take it.
Hannibal went out to Sevilla, amid a fairly complex arrangement in which the Spanish side have an option to buy, and United a buy-back clause.
Hannibal Mejbri loan is not going well
Sevilla would have to pay £17.2 million to sign Hannibal on a permanent basis. Fabrizio Romano said back in January thatManchester United were 99.9 per cent sure the La Liga side would not have the funds to pay it.
Nonetheless, it was viewed as a good opportunity for Hannibal, who preferred this loan to Sevilla over an alternative stint at Everton.
The 21-year-old has played a total of 90 minutes in La Liga, across one start and three substitute showings. He has two yellow cards during this time.
According to Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo, Hannibal’s representatives are in ‘disbelief’ over his situation.
They are said to feel Hannibal’s career is going backwards, and fear there is little chance of his situation improving between now and the end of the season.
Hannibal cannot believe his current situation, but it is becoming apparent there is very little future for him at Sevilla.
Blame has been put on a lack of a joined-up approach between sporting director Victor Orta and manager Quique Flores. Hannibal is not the only player in this situation.
Alejo Veliz was signed on loan from Tottenham and has played only 24 minutes on loan so far.
Hannibal contract heading into final year
Hannibal will have to put this one down to experience, a loan spell to forget. Sevilla won’t be paying the fee. But this might have been one of his last chances to try and change United’s minds about him. Pre-season could be his final opportunity.
Hannibal is under contract at Manchester United until 2025. It was due to expire in 2024 beforeUnited triggered an option in early January.
United paid £9.3 million to Monaco to sign Hannibal in 2019. The club would want to sell for a profit – although the £17 million Sevilla were supposedly prepared to go to, could be out of reach.
A summer exit still looks probable, and United may look for a similar structure, a loan with a buy-back option, even if the figures are a little less than the Sevilla proposal.