Erik ten Hag receives feedback on Man Utd star involved in training ground scrap

Sevilla boss Quique Sanchez Flores has hailed Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri, despite his slow start to life in La Liga.

Hannibal joined Sevilla on loan in the January transfer window after learning he wasn’t in Erik ten Hag’s plans this season. And things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the 24-year-old, who has found game time difficult to come by.

Following his January switch, Hannibal has played just four times for Sevilla, but boss Flores has seen something extra in him in recent weeks and suggested more opportunities will be forthcoming.

He told Diario de Sevilla: “The boy is reaching another level of understanding and is now capable of playing at any time. This has been a more mental adaption than a footballing one. Going from the Premier League to La Liga, which is very different. And moving to a team with a very difficult situation.

“From United, which was fighting among the top five, to Sevilla, which is among the bottom seven. It is very different. He had to be grounded, put (the challenge) into perspective and now it is the coach who has to play him.”

Hannibal has featured in every domestic competition for Man United, as well as the Champions League, but has struggled to cement a permanent spot in the squad at any point.

Hannibal Mejbri joined Sevilla in the January transfer window

Back in May 2022, the midfielder was involved in a training ground scrap with then-team-mate Alex Telles. It was claimed the duo had to be pulled apart. The incident occurred towards the end of Ralf Rangnick’s reign.

Hannibal joined Man United from Monaco for £9.3million back in 2019 and is contracted until the summer of 2025. The Tunisian spent last season on loan at Birmingham in the Championship.

Sevilla have the option of making the Hannibal loan deal permanent for around £15million at the end of the season, but it’s not yet known whether they will exercise this option.

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