NEWS. . . BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Manchester United are “angry” and frustrated by the obvious mistreatment received by Hannibal Mejbri at Sevilla, as the midfielder has struggled a lot for a few minutes this season.
Mejbri made just five Premier League appearances under Erik ten Hag in the early part of the crusade and then ended a loan spell in January at Sevilla hoping to get normal playing time in one of Europe’s most sensible leagues.
But Mejbri has played just 4 times in La Liga, for a total of 89 minutes, under former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores, and the 21-year-old was reportedly concerned about a breakdown in the education floor shortly after his arrival.
After Mejbri was left out of Sevilla’s squad for the Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid, Flores tried to justify his decision by saying, “He has to understand what the club is all about,” and has barely given that impression since.
Mejbri got off to a rare start in the team’s 3-2 win over Real Sociedad earlier this month, but the Tunisian foreigner seemed off the pace, continually ceding possession and substituted after just 53 minutes.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Sevilla have “angered” United and the disastrous loan may simply “cause a problem” as the club tries to attract Premier League players in the future, with Tottenham’s Alejo Veliz experiencing problems.
It is claimed that Mejbri’s serious lack of playing time at Sevilla “doesn’t sit well at all” with the bosses at Old Trafford, especially as the youngster may have joined a number of English clubs in January.
Reports earlier this month that Mejbri’s entourage had been baffled by the player’s situation and “couldn’t believe” how little he had figured in Flores’ plans in recent weeks.
There are fears that Mejbri’s confidence has been seriously affected and that his progression has stalled since he left the Red Devils on loan over the winter.
Sevilla have €18 million (£15 million) to buy Mejbri outright but, unsurprisingly, the club have no plans to make the Tunisian’s replacement permanent when his loan contract expires.
Mejbri, a former France Under-17 international, signed a new contract with United before joining Sevilla on loan, tying him to the Theatre of Dreams until 2025.
Ten Hag praised Mejbri and said the young midfielder is setting an example for the rest of the United squad after making back-to-back starts for the first time in September.
“I think it sends a smart message to the rest of the team: This is the demand, this has to be the norm when you play a position, what you have to bring to the team to be successful,” Ten said. Hag told reporters at the time.
“Especially when you’re playing against possession-based teams; It is a smart candidate to make an intelligent contribution to intelligent functionality and the outcome. I don’t think [his adaptation was] that fast.
“Before I arrived here he was already in the first team, he made his debut. Last year he was on loan and this year he is improving.
“That’s why he deserved an opportunity and I think he’s taking it now. Every time, he has to prove that he deserves to play. But it’s an issue for each and every one, for each and every player on the field. team.
“There are conditions where the players are ahead, but it’s smart that the internal festival is there and that gives the other players the boost that they want to bring more, they want to go higher. Because he’s done a wonderful job for the team, he actually contributed to our point in the last two games.
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