Scottish giants Rangers in advanced negotiations with Manchester United for Hannibal Mejbri on loan
According to a report from French outlet Africafoot, Rangers have expressed an interest in signing Manchester United creative midfielder Hannibal Mejbri on loan.
Hannibal Mejbri endured a dismal five-month loan spell with Sevilla last season, having arrived from the Red Devils in January in search of regular game time. He had made only 10 appearances across the first half of last term under Erik ten Hag and hoped to enjoy a run of games at Sevilla, but things didn’t go according to plan.
The Tunisia international made only six appearances for the Andalusian outfit—one start and five from the bench—amassing a paltry 101 minutes on the pitch under Quique Sanchez Flores. Having returned to Manchester earlier this summer, the youngster was a part of Erik ten Hag’s squad for the club’s opening two friendlies against Rosenborg and Rangers.
Hannibal has featured as a half-time substitute in both pre-season friendlies thus far. Having impressed in Man United’s 2-0 win over Rangers at Murrayfield, the aforementioned report claims boss Philippe Clement has made the Tunisian’s signature a ‘priority’ in this transfer window.
The Scottish giants are in advanced negotiations with Manchester United over a loan move, but face competition from FC Copenhagen, who have proposed the player and our club a loan move with an option to buy. However, the 21-year-old isn’t interested in FC Copenhagen’s proposal and has given a green signal to Rangers to proceed with negotiations.
Hannibal has failed to live up to his promise from the academy days whenever given opportunities by Ten Hag in the first team. After an encouraging loan spell with Birmingham City in the Championship in 2022/23, there was hope that he would return to our club and break into the first team.
Things haven’t been smooth sailing for the creative midfielder and the disastrous loan spell in Seville has done him no good. As the Red Devils already have experienced pros in Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Mason Mount and remain interested in bolstering the midfield unit this summer, Hannibal should be wary that he has little to no chance of playing regularly in the first-team in the 2024/25 campaign.
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Thus, it will be best for the 21-year-old to leave Old Trafford. However, having entered the final year of his contract, INEOS may compel Rangers to sign him on loan with an obligation to buy him permanently, as we cannot allow the talented kid to leave on a free transfer next summer.
Once compared to the likes of club icons, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, it remains to be seen if Hannibal will ever come good on his promise.
