Manchester United are in talks with youngster Hannibal Mejbri over a new contract to keep him at the club beyond his current deal.
It is being reported that manager Erik ten Hag and other executives at Old Trafford are impressed by the midfielder’s performances in the early weeks of the season. The manager is said to be a ‘fan’ of the youngster.
Hannibal played his first game for the club this season in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion. The 20-year-old came off the bench and scored his first-ever senior goal for the Red Devils.
The French-Tunisian midfielder has taken the chances given to him by ten Hag and has flourished in the number 10 role. He first impressed in preseason when the manager gave him his initial opportunity.
His current deal runs until next summer, with the club having the option to extend it for a further year. But the reports around Manchester suggest that United are looking to offer him a new deal altogether rather than just triggering the extension.
Even though the youngster has grabbed the opportunities provided to him with both hands, first-team appearances could now be limited as a number of players are returning to fitness.
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United already have Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes in that area of the pitch while Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat are also back from injury.
There is also hope among the United camp that Kobbie Mainoo isn’t far behind and will return to the first team soon. The Englishman was also amongst the youth academy players who impressed in preseason.
Hannibal joined United’s academy from French club AS Monaco in 2019 for an initial fee of £4.3 million. He has since gone on loan to Championship side Birmingham City and has now made his way into the senior squad at United.
He has already bagged 26 caps for the Tunisian national team and is now making his way into the first team at Old Trafford.
The French-born Tunisian international will now be hoping to remain in the first-team fold as the schedules get tighter for the club and more of the squad will need to be utilised by the manager.
United’s next game in the Premier League is against Crystal Palace at the weekend before they face Turkish side Galatasaray SK mid-week in the Champions League.
