Manchester United have been left furious with Sevilla for their perceived mistreatment of starlet Hannibal Mejbri.
The 21-year-old joined the Spanish side on loan until the end of the season in January. But he has not enjoyed the best time of things since arriving.
Mejbri has made just four appearances since joining the club - only one of which have been starts. The Tunisian was also at the heart of a bizarre exchange with Quique Sanchez Flores.
After Mejbri’s first appearance, he was dropped from the squad for their following game. Explaining his decision, Flores said: “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. 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.”
Sevilla then performed a U-turn and recalled him. That has not pacified the Red Devils though. According to Spanish outlet AS, Old Trafford chiefs are ‘angry’ at how their player is being treated. His lack of playing time is the main source of their complaints - particularly after Mejbri had the chance to stay in England for a loan move in January.
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Sevilla have the opportunity to sign Mejbri on a permanent basis come the end of the season but that appears highly unlikely at this stage. Should he return to Old Trafford, it will be hoped that his behaviour has improved.
Reports back in May 2022 claimed that he was at the heart of a furious training ground bust-up with Alex Telles. That occurred during Ralf Rangnick ’s final few days at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Mejbri when he was appointed. He said: “Before I came in here, he was already in the first team, he made his debut. Last year he was on loan and this year he is making progress.
"So that's why he deserved an opportunity and I think now he's taking that opportunity. Every time he has to improve and he had to give the evidence that he is worthy of playing. But that counts for everyone, every player in the squad.”
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