According to Mirror, Manchester United are one step closer to securing the services of Hannibal Mejbri. Super agent Jorge Mendes was reportedly at Carrington yesterday to finalise a deal that is likely going to cost the Red Devils somewhere around £9 million. The AS Monaco youngster is expected to take a medical, and the deal could be finalised by the end of the week.
What is Mejbri all about?
A central midfielder by trade, Mejbri initially started his youth career at FC Paris. He notably had a trial with Arsenal back in 2016. He ended up joining the Monaco youth academy in 2017.
Mejbri, along with the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Isaac Lihadji, is rated as one of France’s best up and coming talents. The youngster currently plays for the Monaco UEFA U-19 setup and has also featured for the France U-16 side.
Mejbri’s style of play can be compared with his compatriot and current Man United star Paul Pogba. The youngster is a fearsome ball winner in midfield, and despite his relatively short frame, he has considerable strength. It allows him to make strong tackles as well as keep hold of the ball under pressure.
But most importantly, the 16-year-old is capable of releasing his teammates in open space with brilliantly weighed through balls. This is mainly due to his excellent vision while the midfielder also loves to get forward and take part in the attack.
Another key feature of Mejbri’s game is his proficiency from set-pieces. He can provide inviting crosses from free-kicks and corners – making him an excellent source of creativity in the final third. Hence, the youngster is indeed a well-rounded central midfielder.
Will Mejbri succeed at Old Trafford?
Manchester United have paid particular attention to the youth academy following the appointment of Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer. Mejbri’s addition, to that end, will undoubtedly strengthen the U-19 side that have already produced some eye-catching talents in recent years.
It is hard to tell whether or not he will succeed at Old Trafford. But, It is evident that with his skill, Mejbri can be groomed into a world-class midfielder. And Manchester United, in that regard, could be an ideal destination for him to improve his game further and eventually integrate himself to the first-team.
