Hannibal handed reality check by new manager just weeks after move from Man Utd

27 January 2024 , 19:09

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Quique Sanchez Flores has not been impressed with Hannibal Mejbri's start to life at Sevilla

Hannibal Mejbri been dumped by his new boss at Sevilla - less than a fortnight after his loan switch from Manchester United.

Despite a bright start to the campaign at Old Trafford, Hannibal soon fell down the midfield pecking order in the eyes of Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag. As a result, the Dutchman sent the Tunisia international out on loan to the La Liga outfit in a bid to continue his progression.

However, the former Monaco academy graduate has hardly an ideal start to life at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and has already been the subject of a critical speech from Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who made clear the midfielder needs time to adjust.

Flores explained that Hannibal would be omitted from the Sevilla matchday squad for their home clash against Osasuna. He told reporters: "After being with him, talking to him and having seen his first minutes in Girona, we are going to give him the necessary space to understand where he is, that he is at Sevilla and what it means.

"He has to know where he is and we want to see him. We have spoken with him and we believe that he has to have some time to learn, we wanted to give him space, time for him to see things from the outside and then he will return to the squad.

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"In the end they are kids who have come and suddenly land in a huge club like Sevilla in circumstances of maximum demand. And they need a bit of location. And that location may be seen better from the outside than from the inside. You should take a step to understand what we want.

"Let's see if the boy applies himself and I think that in the end he will understand perfectly what we want."

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Hannibal Mejbri has already fallen out of favour at Sevilla

However, less than 24 hours after Flores' comments, Sevilla have U-turned and actually named Hannibal in the squad for their clash with Osasuna. The reasons behind the change of heart regarding the midfielder's place in the side remain unclear.

The original comments will make for uncomfortable reading from Ten Hag's perspective, who will certainly be keeping a keen eye on how Hannibal progresses out in Spain. His loan contract does include an option to buy, though Flores' comments plunge the 21-year-old's future into doubt.

To publicly discuss Hannibal's struggles in such strong fashion would suggest Flores' does not think much of the start the Tunisian has made in Spain.

The switch to Sevilla was expected to see Hannibal become familiar with the demands of playing at the elite-level week in, week out. Instead, he appears to have already frustrated Flores with just 28 minutes of football under his belt.

Josh O'Brien