Roland Cutinho
Turkish giants Besiktas hope to sign Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri on loan before September 15
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Besiktas have extended a direct loan proposal for Manchester United’s midfielder Hannibal Mejbri ahead of their deadline day on September 15.
The Tunisian midfielder participated in three preseason matches for United, but he has not made an appearance in the Premier League so far this season.
Besiktas made an initial loan offer for the 20-year-old star with a buy option, but the Red Devils turned down the proposal.
The Super Lig side has returned with another loan offer that does not include a purchase option, but the English giants are hesitant to entertain the idea of letting their academy graduate leave. The ultimate decision regarding the young player’s future will rest with manager Erik ten Hag.
Hannibal spent the previous season in the Championship, playing for Birmingham City, where he scored one goal in 41 appearances, with 23 of them as a starter.
Despite being a sought-after talent at his age, Man United have decided not to sell him permanently and have resisted offers to do so.
Hannibal, who joined the Old Trafford outfit from Monaco in 2019, has earned 26 caps for the Tunisian senior national team.
At the club level, he has made three senior appearances for United, one of which was as a starter in the final match of the 2021-22 season, which ended in a loss to Crystal Palace.
During the summer transfer window, Ten Hag’s side brought in Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat (on loan). This new duo’s arrival is expected to influence Mejbri’s playing time, potentially limiting him to occasional appearances as a substitute.
The Dutch boss has the option to loan the African midfielder to Besiktas for experience, but it appears that the young player will likely remain with United.
The decision may be influenced by the need for squad depth in case of injuries, particularly until Kobbie Mainoo returns to action.
Mainoo, who impressed during United’s pre-season, suffered a knee injury in a match against Real Madrid due to a challenge by Casemiro but is expected to recover in time for the second half of the season.
It’s no secret that Ten Hag appeared to be impressed by the progress of the Tunisian star during pre-season. The player has returned from the championship with increased maturity and tactical acumen in his gameplay.
However, considering that a number of players are ahead of him in the pecking order, it’s challenging to identify where he would fit into the team.
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Given the midfielder’s need for playing time, if he doesn’t find those opportunities at Old Trafford this season, a loan move to another club might be a suitable solution.
The Red Devils will resume their matches after the international break with a home league game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
