Said to be a ‘special talent’, Hannibal Mejbri is currently impressing everyone with his performances in the Manchester United academy. The Frenchman has shown his talent playing for United’s U18s and U23s this season, and with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s liberal stance on playing youngsters, it’s surely only a matter of time before we see him in the Red Devils’ first team.
Manchester United ‘Special Talent’: Who is Hannibal Mejbri and What Makes him so Good?
Who is Hannibal Mejbri?
Former Monaco playmaker Hannibal Mejbri arrived at Old Trafford last summer. Following a disagreement with the French side, the then 16-year-old decided to move on,l and United were there to snap him up. With a fee which could rise up to £9m, Mejbri did not come cheap for United and, while there is no guarantee that he will deliver on the rather hefty price, he has shown great promise in his debut season.
What Makes Hannibal Mejbri such a Promising Talent?
The 17-year-old has played for both the U18s and U23s and has had a large success in both. In his eight U18 starts, Mejbri has three assists and a goal, while for the second team, he has three assists in five appearances with just one start. In the Premier League 2, he has a direct goal involvement approximately every 55 minutes; a truly incredible achievement when you consider his age.
Mejbri has demonstrated his incredible talent this season with excellent passing and dribbling ability, as well as a fantastic work-rate. It is clear that he has the mindset to play at the top level, and the talent as well, making it surely a matter of when he gets a chance, not if.
How Soon Will his Opportunity Come?
Combining Mejbri’s great displays in the youth teams and Solskjaer’s willingness to give youth a chance, it cannot be long before the former Monaco midfielder gets an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level. This season, Solskjaer put his faith in Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams this season after both impressed in the youth teams.
Williams got a chance at left-back in the Premier League after four assists in his opening five Premier League 2 appearances and has been a resounding success. The young Englishman now plays regularly for the first team, even with the return of first choice Luke Shaw. Greenwood has also been brilliant since Solskjaer gave him an opportunity to play at a higher level. The striker has seven goals/assists in seven Europa League games and has also impressed greatly in his 22 appearances in the Premier League, becoming United’s third-highest scorer this season.
With that in mind, surely it is time that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allows Hannibal Mejbri to show his worth in the Manchester United first team.
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