Manchester United pair Hannibal Mejbri and Shola Shoretire feature in world’s top young footballers list

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United youngsters Hannibal Mejbri and Shola Shoretire have been represented in Goal’s NXGN (Next-Generation) award, with the winners announced for this year.

Mejbri and Shoretire are two of the brightest academy prospects to come out of Carrington’s famed halls and training ground, with the club’s rich history of developing talented youngsters coming to the fore once again.

Goal’s NXGN (Next-Generation) award features fifty of the best youngsters around the world, with these players handpicked by their network of journalists that sit together to compile a list of the best talents aged under 19.

This year, the top prize was won by Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham, followed by Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz and Barcelona’s Gavi. Evidently, the Bundesliga seems to be a big hub of young talent for the future.

Top 50 youngsters

United youngster Mejbri was ranked 22nd on the list, which is a big recognition of his talent. Only 19 years old, he is already a Tunisia international and has made an impact on the national team, where he recently enjoyed a successful Asia Cup.

Although his side finished as runners-up, it was personally a great tournament for him. He also picked up two senior appearances for his country during the Africa Cup of Nations, where they bowed out in the quarterfinals.

Shoretire, meanwhile, came in 44th on the list. He is a name that United fans will be familiar with, having made a few senior appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last year. The 18-year-old went one step further this term under Ralf Rangnick, making his Champions League debut against Young Boys after the German boss had already secured a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Both these youngsters were last seen together making an appearance for the senior team against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, in what was the final game of the campaign as the Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners at the Molineux Stadium.

This term, both have yet to make an appearance in the league but are regulars in the youth teams at United as they look to knock on the doors of the first team soon and claim a place for themselves. With Mason Greenwood’s suspension, Anthony Martial’s loan move, and Marcus Rashford’s recent slump, it is particularly peculiar to not see Shoretire get at least some minutes in the PL.

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Interestingly, new signing Jadon Sancho was named the winner of the NXGN (Next-Generation) award in the 2018-19 season, when he was making waves in the Bundesliga by turning out for Borussia Dortmund. His talent has always shone through, which explains why the Manchester side has signed him this season- and he has been repaying our trust in the past few weeks with his performances.

Hopefully, we see more youngsters feature on the list and make their way into the first team soon. Youngster Anthony Elanga has been a revelation this campaign under Rangnick, and perhaps Mejbri and Shoretire can follow his path to become regulars in the senior side.