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It’s that time of year when teams with African players start to worry about losing their biggest talents to the national team.
The African Cup of Nations begins on January 11 and Manchester United have some cases of their own whose future is increasingly clear.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Hannibal Mejbri will not go to AFCON with Tunisia.
This is because the club is managing a loan for the player and all interested parties want him to be available for the January/February period.
The three clubs mentioned are Olympique Lyon, Seville and Freiburg from France, Spain and Germany respectively.
🔴🇹🇳 EXCL: Hannibal Mejbri, will not go to AFCON as he may leave Man Utd to go on loan in January.
I understand that three clubs want to sign him; everyone wants it available in January/February.
🇪🇸 Seville🇫🇷 Olympique Lyon🇩🇪 Freiburg
…meanwhile, talks are underway to extend their deal with #MUFC. pic.twitter.com/ZQ8wKbwxNe
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 28, 2023
Mejbri is expected to sign a contract extension before leaving, indicating United see a future for him at the club.
A loan therefore makes sense as United are already out of two competitions so the fixture list won’t be as daunting.
Furthermore, in Casemiro, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat, the numbers in midfield are about to be reinforced, so opportunities for youngsters will dry up.
After spending last season on loan in the Championship, it is a sign of the midfielder’s growth that top division clubs from three different countries are taking an interest in his services.
With Casemiro’s advanced age, Amrabat’s loan unlikely to be permanent and Scott McTominay’s future in constant doubt, a window could open for the Tunisian next season.
His commitment to success at United would certainly be appreciated by United as he retires from the Tunisia national team.
It is now up to the player to impress at his loan club, whichever that may be, until the end of the season so he can return in the summer as a legitimate option in the club’s midfield.
