Ten Hag parts ways with both Man Utd stars involved in training ground fight

17 January 2024 , 07:00

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Erik ten Hag has tried to rid Man Utd of dressing room drama

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has shown he is not one to suffer fools gladly during his time in the Old Trafford hot-seat, just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner isn't the only one who has seen his behaviour cost him place at the club, with two players involved in a training ground spat now both playing their football elsewhere. Alex Telles and Hannibal Mejbri had to be pulled apart by team-mates shortly before Ten Hag actually arrived at United, back when predecessor Ralf Rangnick was still at the helm.

The in-house fall-out came in the aftermath of United's humiliating 4-0 defeat away at Brighton at the tail end of last term when morale was at its lowest under the interim Austrian coach. While Ten Hag was not in charge at that point, word got back to the Dutchman that Rangnick was so furious with what he had witnessed from the two players he ended the training session prematurely.

Ten Hag took the reins soon after and one of his first acts was to ship Telles off out on loan to Spanish outfit Sevilla and sign a replacement left-back in Tyrell Malacia. Hannibal managed to avoid the exit door initially, but late on in the summer window was also cast aside and joined Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.

Fast forward a year and now both are yet again playing their football elsewhere, with one gone for good. Telles joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr on a permanent basis in July of last year, while Hannibal is about to embark on his second-loan at Sevilla - the same outfit his training ground opponent was sent to before being sold the following year.

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It is believed that Hannibal's Sevilla loan contract also includes an option to buy the Tunisia international on a permanent deal for a fee of £20million, plus £3m in add-ons.

United have taken the step of including both a buy-back option and a sell-on fee should he move elsewhere after his time in Spain.

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Hannibal Mejbri has left Man Utd on loan to join Sevilla (Getty Images)

The news may serve as a shock to some considering Hannibal made 10 appearances in the opening exchanges of the season. However, with the likes of Mason Mount and Casemiro returning to the United midfield, the Tunisian would have found first-team minutes hard to come by at Old Trafford.

Sevilla were not the only side to register an interest in securing Hannibal's services for the rest of the season. Sean Dyche's Everton were also believed to be keen, but those at the top of the United hierarchy viewed Sevilla's proposal more attractive.

Josh O'Brien