As the dust has settled on Manchester United’s 3-0 victory versus Everton on Sunday afternoon, it is pertinent to highlight that three of United’s successful 2022 Youth Cup team were in the matchday squad.

Two of said players made massive contributions to the result and look to be two of the most promising stories of the season to follow from a Man United fan’s perspective.

Alejandro Garnacho scored “the best overhead kick ever” according to some, which crucially broke the deadlock in the third minute.

Another player from the starting line-up of the victorious Youth Cup side, Kobbie Mainoo, had pundits waxing lyrical over the 18 year olds afternoon’s work. Ian Wright claimed he just thought “wow” and the notoriously hard to impress, Roy Keane, even effused that it was challenging not to get excited about the midfielder’s full debut.

The third was striker Joe Hugill, who made the bench due to an injury to Rasmus Hojlund. The youngster didn’t get the chance to make an impression on the pitch, but after scoring in United’s pre-season tour, the attacker will hope to be get more opportunities in the first team.

Manchester United’s youth team won the coveted Youth Cup final in May 2022 at Old Trafford versus Nottingham Forest. Rhys Bennett and a double from Alejandro Garnacho saw the Red Devils win 3-1 on the night and claim the silverware. It would be a record extending 11th time the club has won the trophy and the first time since a Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard inspired triumph in 2011.

The Old Trafford outfit has a proud history of blooding youngsters and the academy has educated some of the finest players to play the game. United’s commitment to youth can be seen in their unmatched record of naming an academy graduate in every squad since the 30th of October 1937.

In fact, four academy-grown players started the game, including Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay. Another, Hannibal Mejbri was on the bench, hence six in total to add to the names of Garnacho, Mainoo and Hugill, were in the squad.

Additionally, four more players in the matchday 18 may not have been part of the Man United youth system but were signed for the first team as teenagers. They are Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Facundo Pellistri.

In fact, to highlight the production power of the youth system at the club, two of Everton’s starters and one bench option also came through the ranks at United. James Garner, Dwight McNeil and former Youth Cup winner, Michael Keane.

There has been criticism of late of the team and their movement away from using the academy. Erik ten Hag has splashed the cash since his arrival in May 2022. The Dutch coach has spent £407m on new signings and has been critiqued here for abandoning players like James Garner far too early to fund moves for lesser players from other team’s academies.

Nonetheless, Sunday’s game provided a road map forward. The roles of Mainoo and Garnacho demonstrate that the youth system at United is still working and if used, can still be a vital characteristic of the side. Whilst, splurging on talent is necessary to reach the top, opportunities should still be given to the very best of the academy. It is in the club’s DNA.

Finally, with the under 18 team in scintillating form and huge talents like 16 year old Shea Lacey at the club, there is much to be excited about. If not left to rot, the youth system will continue to flourish and produce talents for the first team, like it always has since 1937.

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Many Manchester United fans will be dreaming of a busy winter window that will kick-start their season domestically and abroad.

However, the major stories from transfer windows are not always about who your clubs brings in, but also on who they decide to cut ties with.

Man United have seven players who have contracts ending in June 2024 and face an uncertain future beyond the end of the current campaign.

The Mirror has drawn attention to the players that could be moving on to new pastures in the summer. One rule of the transfer window is that “any player looking to move from one English team to another as a free agent can only open talks after entering the final month of their previous contract”. However, they can negotiate with foreign clubs from the January previous to the expiry date of their deal.

Safe in this knowledge, let’s take a look to see which of the seven Red Devils may opt for this route.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The Mirror are downbeat on Wan-Bissaka’s chances of staying at the club. They sum him up as a player who has “veered from dependable player to a lightning rod for fan criticism”. The publication believes it is unlikely he will be offered a new deal. At the start of the season the English fullback seemed a shoe-in for a new contract but things on that front have certainly cooled down of late.

Consequently, The Peoples Person has reported that Ten Hag is interested in bringing in his own right back but many would argue that Wan-Bissaka may provide more effective backup than Diogo Dalot. Additionally, Wan-Bissaka would most certainly be of interest to English teams such as West Ham, so it is improbable that he would lack attractive offers from mid table Premier League clubs if United decide not to renew his deal. Unlikely to go.

Victor Lindelof

The Swede is another name that could depart the club in the summer. The Swedish captain has had plenty of admirers from abroad such as Atletico Madrid, so if he were to desire a new challenge, he would have numerous options as a free agent. However, Lindelof has already played 15 times for the club this season due to the defensive injury crisis and even scored the winning goal against Luton. Nonetheless, Victor may fall down the pecking order as United have been linked to many new central defenders including Jean-Clair Todibo, so the Swedish defender may choose this path, as he is certainly the most sought after of the seven. Likely to go abroad

Antony Martial

The French forward is probably a much clearer case. While Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof remain relatively popular players where you could envision a future back-up role at the club, Martial does not enjoy this reputation among supporters. The Frenchman has been heavily critiqued and has seemingly lost largely everything that made him winner of the Golden Boy award in 2015. Not many English clubs would be willing to sign the attacker but as long as he asked for sensible wages, a list of European clubs would most likely be attracted to him. The Peoples Person recently stated that Inter Milan and PSG are among such teams. Likely to go abroad

Hannibal Mejbri

The 20 year old Tunisian Mejbri is enjoying something of a breakthrough year, having played 5 times already for the Red Devils in this campaign and also having scored a wonder goal against Brighton in September. United do have an option to extend for a year and it is hard to see them not at least taking up this option. The Tunisian is hot-tempered and still has much to learn but it is unlikely that club or player are willing to give up on each other yet. Unlikely to go just yet

Jonny Evans

The Northern Irishman was a surprise signing during the summer but like Lindelof, has had to fill in more than he had probably anticipated due to the injury-ravaged defensive department. Despite admirably deputising, future summer signings at centre back, again like Lindelof, will most likely see Evans leave the club. He could decide to retire as he had contemplated before joining United or play for a lower division English team. Likely to go, but not abroad

Tom Heaton

The 37 year old keeper saw the arrival of two new keepers in the summer and has not played yet this season. The United academy graduate almost joined Luton Town in August but this deal collapsed. Heaton will most definitely leave unless offered some sort of coaching job, but again, he is unlikely to try and secure a deal abroad at this point in his career. Likely to go but not abroad

Alvaro Fernandez

The young Spanish left back will probably have developed the taste for first team football. Last season he played 42 times for Preston in the Championship and has been a regular for Granada in La Liga this year. He is highly rated at United and it is likely the club would love to tie him down to a new contract. However, with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and possibly even Sergio Reguilon potentially in front of him, he may not have the patience to wait for his chance. Especially as the youngster is from Spain, he could well try and pursue a move to his homeland or elsewhere in the winter. Likely to go abroad

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In what was an otherwise bitterly disappointing month for United fans, these two strikes by the United midfield pair were rare bright spots amidst a sea of negativity.

Eight stunning September strikes. Only one can reign supreme.

Who are you backing for @premierleague x @Budweiser Goal of the Month pic.twitter.com/m0LlUm5hZZ

— Budweiser Football (@budfootball) October 5, 2023

Hannibal’s vicious strike from distance came as a consolation goal in a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Brighton. 

It did ignite a spark in the Tunisian midfielder’s Old Trafford career, however, with Hannibal firmly placing himself in Erik ten Hag’s thoughts following this moment.

A fantastic match against Burnley saw the youngster cover the most distance by any player in the league this season; a performance Ten Hag labelled as “perfect.”

This game was won through Fernandes’ ridiculous volley.

Striking a ball with that clean and accurate a connection, dropping over your shoulder, is one of the hardest technical feats in football. United’s captain made it look like another day at the office such was the aplomb with which it left his boot.

It proved a decisive moment as United ran out 1-0 winners in a game they could have lost without Fernandes’ contribution.

While Hannibal’s goal was a special moment individually for the youngster, Fernandes’ volley was a different level to anything else produced this month.

A worthy winner for which United fans can vote here.

The full list of nominees:

• • Hannibal Mejbri v Brighton
  • Jhon Duran v Crystal Palace
  • Leandro Trossard v Everton
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi v Burnley
  • Bruno Fernandes v Burnley
  • Miguel Almiron v Burnley
  • Joachim Andersen v Man Utd
  • Julian Alvarez v Wolves

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United kickstarted their European campaign in a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Ahead of the Galatasaray clash, Erik ten Hag emphasized that it was a must-win affair to give his side the best possible chance of making it out of the group.

Ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal.

In defence, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat formed the backline.

Casemiro, Hannibal Mejbri and Mason Mount consisted United’s midfield trio.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line and was flanked by Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes on either wing. Here are four things we learned from Manchester United’s 3-2 loss against Galatasaray.

Mount and Hojlund superb

For the third game in a row since his return from injury, Mount had a good performance.

The Englishman started in the 10 as United’s most advanced player in the middle of the park. As is the norm with Mount, he worked extremely hard off the ball.

When the Red Devils were not in possession, the former Chelsea man pressed well and aggressively.

He tracked back whenever required and ensured United were not overrun in midfield. He also did well creatively. In the first half, the 24-year-old produced a stunning through ball from deep to a running Hojlund to send the goalscorer through on goal.

Unfortunately, Hojlund could not bring the ball under his spell, which gave the Galatasaray goalkeeper the chance to clean up and neutralize the threat.

Mount’s display vs. the Turkish giants comes off the back of yet another commendable display against Crystal Palace on Saturday and before that in the Carabao Cup.

He seems to be one of the few players Ten Hag can rely on to deliver at a high level on a consistent basis.

Alongside Mount, Hojlund was also excellent. The Dane opened the scoring for United via a fantastic header in the first half. It was his second goal in as many games in the Champions League. While he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League, Europe’s grand stage appears to not be much trouble to him.

He thought he grabbed a brace but he was deemed to have been offside before dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

Hojlund however did get his second goal soon enough when he cleverly chipped the ball above Fernando Muslera.

Beyond the goal, his hold-up play was sensational.

Hojlund kept the ball well which allowed his teammates to come into play. Like Mount, his work rate was redoubtable.

The 20-year-old is steadily growing in confidence and stature. The onus is on others to fashion more clear-cut opportunities for him.

Hannibal struggled

Before the game, Ten Hag explained that Hannibal’s selection in the starting XI was due to the energy he usually injects into the team.

He certainly ran and covered the hard yards, albeit to no successful effect.

The Tunisian seemed to be slightly below the level of some of his more senior colleagues, an occurrence that is of course expected due to his young age and relative inexperience.

He did not offer much on the ball, and it was no surprise he was taken off during the interval.

Hannibal’s below-par performance was made even more glaring by just how big of an impact Christian Eriksen made when he came on.

The 31-year-old Denmark international showed his technical class and ability by just how well he was spraying the ball from deep.

Genuine concerns about Rashford’s form

In yet another game, Marcus Rashford was poor despite getting off to a good start with an assist.

The same concerns that have been raised about his performances in recent games came to the fore vs. Galatasaray.

He still found it hard to get past his man and his efforts off the ball were not satisfactory.

In an instance during the game, he was set on his way by Casemiro in a fantastic counter-attack for the Reds. He made the right decision to hand over the ball to Fernandes who had arrived inside the box but his pass was poor and lacked the weight needed to reach its intended target.

As a result, a good opportunity was sent begging.

He was taken off and Alejandro Garnacho was brought on. The Argentine teenager was much better than Rashford despite being on the pitch for only a few minutes.

So far this season, Rashford has only managed one goal in all competitions – a far cry from the sensational goalscoring from he was in last term.

He seems to be lacking confidence as evidenced by the way his head drops and shoulders shrug whenever things don’t go his way.

Fans are right to be worried about the 25-year-old’s output and performances in recent games.

Onana was shambolic

Against Bayern, Onana took responsibility for United’s loss in Germany.

He undoubtedly also played a big part in the team’s defeat at Galatasaray’s hands. A hospital pass from him to Casemiro that was intercepted by a rival player forced the Brazilian to commit and tackle strongly inside the box, resulting in a red card.

Galatasaray were awarded a penalty. Luckily, Mauro Icardi missed.

Icardi however made amends soon after when he dinked the ball past the United shot-stopper. He could certainly have done better to keep Icardi’s shot out.

In truth, the same could be said of Galatasaray’s second goal.

The Cameroonian was shambolic and was culpable in the defeat at Old Trafford that has now left United bottom of the group without a point, and with a mountain to climb to get through to the next round of the competition.

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There are reasons, of course, and they are not excuses. An unprecedented injury crisis, three wingers unavailable for off-pitch reasons and a lack of support from the club in the transfer market. But there are also areas where the boss himself has to hold his hands up and admit he got it wrong. Here are three we think are clear.

1. Amrabat must play in midfield.

Obviously the full back injury crisis at United leaves few options and Amrabat at left back is arguably better than any other option right now. But it comes at the expense of not having him in midfield, where he can be most effective and ease the burden on Casemiro, who has been struggling this season.

He is inverting from left back to create an extra man in midfield but it is not an ideal solution. Diogo Dalot is a competent left back and Victor Lindelof can play right back, so a Varane-Maguire or Varane-Evans centre-back partnership, while not ideal, could be a solution.

Another possibility is to play Casemiro at centre back, which in one sense defeats the object but in another allows for Amrabat’s extra energy and mobility to invigorate the midfield.

A third option would be to switch to three at the back and employ, say, Antony or Mount and Dalot as wing backs. Casemiro and Amrabat could then partner up in midfield with Bruno Fernandes ahead of them and Rashford, Hojlund and one other would form the cutting edge. Which brings us to …

2. Fernandes must play at number 8/10

Ten Hag’s efforts to adjust the side due to the injuries and accommodating the likes of Mount have sometimes resulted this season in Bruno being pushed out wide right. Again, as in the case of Amrabat at left back, he may have been the best option in the position at the time but it has come at the expense of not having him in the 8/10 where he is lethal.

There is sometimes a case for Bruno playing deeper but rarely for playing him wider. He needs to be the heartbeat of the United side and dictate play, which no-one can do from the wing.

3. Hannibal and Pellistri are not the answer

Social media is full of calls today for Hannibal to be brought back into the side because of the energy he brings. But as we reported here recently, despite those commendable and record-breaking displays of energy, there has been very little in terms of creative product from the Tunisian. As stated above, Bruno Fernandes is one of the best CAM’s in the world, he needs to be there. If he is unavailable, arguably it would even be worth giving Donny van de Beek another chance to reproduce the form he showed in that position at Ajax that left him a whisker away from joining Real Madrid.

Pellistri is a neat and tidy player but unfortunately, unless he develops late, his slight physique is going to make it very difficult for him to succeed in the Premier League. Now that Antony is back, he is likely to make way and frankly he could be going the Anthony Elanga route now after failing to seize his chance in the first team.

Energy and enthusiasm are in short supply right now so it is natural that the manager looks to young hopefuls who have bags of both. But if the quality is not there, ultimately this will be a hollow pursuit. Ten Hag must instead focus on instilling the same enthusiasm in his world class players rather than trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

The post Three things Erik ten Hag must stop doing for Manchester United to progress appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The 20-year-old Tunisian began his career as a Monaco youth prospect, before switching to Manchester in 2019, for a €10 million fee.

For a youth player, that was a substantial investment – one that Hannibal now looks set to repay.

He’s taken to his breakthrough Premier League campaign as though he belongs at this level, but it was on loan with Birmingham City in the Championship that the player really established himself.

For a 19-year-old, the Championship can be quite challenging and any young players sent there to learn their trade must display exceptional courage and athletic prowess.

Hannibal passed the test, eventually making 41 appearances across the season.

From his initiation ceremony at Birmingham, where he instantly became a favourite for his confident delivery of a song sang in both French and English, it was clear that the midfielder would not be cowed by the sense of occasion.

Now, in an interview conducted by The Manchester Evening News, Matt Gardiner, assistant head coach at Birmingham, has offered some insights on Hannibal’s character and journey to the Premier League.

“He was always trying to learn and he regularly did extras, which I loved about him. He’d do a lot of extra technical points after training,” he said.

“He’d work on things like match shooting, taking the ball under pressure or working on his weaker foot, or whatever the topic was for that particular week. We helped him but he really helped himself during his time here,” he added.

On the midfielder’s character, Gardiner’s praise was unequivocal, saying:

“His fearlessness really stood out. I would say that and his hunger to always win, even in the games in training…”

“You have to have the talent but you have to have the hunger as well, which Hannibal has no shortage of.”

By now, most Man United fans will be well-acquainted with the Tunisia international’s passion and hunger. But there’s more in store, as according to Gardiner:

“His set-pieces were great and he had the courage to take them in pressure situations.”

“We do unique meetings to prepare before every game.”

“We look through the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and if you look at Hannibal’s first assist for the club, which came against Stoke, it appears to be a simple corner which hits the far post, but it’s an example of his different deliveries.

“His technique is outstanding and his range of deliveries, from corners and free-kicks, was a real strength for us.”

Hannibal’s introduction into the United first team has come under less than ideal conditions.

Having successfully adjusted to the realities of the professional game, he’ll now have to adjust to the difficulties of playing for a team going through tremendous uncertainty.

If Gardiner’s testimony is anything to go by, however, he’ll fancy his chances.

The post The inside Story of Hannibal Mejbri’s arrival at Old Trafford appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Mejbri made the headlines for running 12.9km in the game, which is more than any United player since records started being collected in 2019.

He also made 104 presses, the most by any Premier League player this season.

Pellistri, meanwhile, has been earning plaudits for his recent performances, with many fans on social media lauding him as an upgrade on the disgraced Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Injuries and other absences left Erik ten Hag with little option other than to give the two youngsters a chance, and it was certainly worth seeing what they have to offer. But despite claims that they have both done enough to earn a regular place in the first team (for example, from Sky Sports), question marks must still hover over each.

First, Hannibal. He scored a superb goal for United against Arsenal and his work rate, as demonstrated by the figures above, certainly is impressive. But to be a Manchester United player, you need more than workrate.

His figures for his 58 minutes of Premier League action this season do show some level of effectiveness, but Tuesday’s figures look remarkably bare despite all that running and pressing: zero shots, zero key passes, zero big chances created.

Pellistri has good technique and is another hard worker, but his season stats so far make for grim reading: 13 minutes’ football in the Premier League, 81 minutes in the Champions League and 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday have yielded zero goals, zero assists, zero big chances created, zero key passes, zero accurate long balls and one big chance missed.

Neat and tidy his performances may have been, but these figures speak to a total lack of danger as an attacker.

Hannibal will be 21 years old in January and Pellistri is already 21. This places them 18 months – 2 years older than, say, Alejandro Garnacho, 3 years older than Kobbie Mainoo, and just a few months younger than Mason Greenwood. Two years older than Paul Pogba was when he moved to Juventus the first time.

Obviously, different players develop at different paces and the pair are still in the early stages of their journeys. But are either of them any better than, say, Jesse Lingard, or Andreas Pereira, or Anthony Elanga were at the same age? Are we looking at two more “close, but no cigar” academy graduates who will have good careers without setting the world on fire?

It will be interesting to compare and contrast Mainoo and Amad Diallo’s impact on first team duty with these two when they return from injury.

That final leap from starlet to star at a club like Manchester United is undoubtedly the hardest of them all. Hannibal and Pellistri are tantalisingly close to making it, but it feels as if there needs to be a little bit more magic on display for either of them to really make the grade.

The post Do Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri have what it takes at Man United? appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Hannibal has started United’s two previous games against Burnley at Turf Moor and more recently, during a Carabao Cup clash vs. Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

These starts came off the back of the midfielder scoring his first Premier League goal in a 3-1 defeat for United at the hands of Brighton.

He came on from the bench vs. the Seagulls and produced a fantastic rocket which only served to be a consolation prize for his side.

Since then, the Tunisian seems to be growing in confidence and stature within the team.

An analysis covered by The Peoples Person revealed Hannibal’s record-breaking numbers with respect to pressing and running, which have certainly helped United turn the tide and register a few wins after a consecutive run of defeats.

It was previously relayed that talks had been opened between the club and representatives of the Carrington academy graduate over a new and improved deal.

Hannibal’s current contract expires in 2024, although there is an option to extend his terms by one year until 2025.

United are however keen to safeguard his future and keep him at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

This has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano who explains that Ten Hag is a huge admirer of Hannibal to the extent that he went out of his way to keep him at the club despite interest in the player from other parties.

Romano reports, “Erik ten Hag trusts the 20-year-old midfielder who is doing very well.”

“What I can reveal to you is that during the summer Sevilla wanted the player on loan from Man United, but it was ten Hag who said no, he wanted to keep Hannibal in the squad to give him some chances.”

“From what I’m hearing, Sevilla are still there, still hopeful of having the player on loan in January if the situation changes.

“Hannibal is very happy at United. He loves the opportunity he’s been getting and he’s very happy with the current situation there and with Erik ten Hag.”

The transfer guru then reiterated that United are set to offer Hannibal a new and significant contract.

The post Fabrizio Romano: Erik ten Hag said “no” to Sevilla loan move for Hannibal Mejbri appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

He scored his first Premier League goal during United’s 1-3 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford.

He followed it up with a surprise start at Turf Moor against Burnley, where he caught the eye with his performance.

Hannibal was also included in the starting XI that beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The Tunisian has been integral to United’s efforts as they have now won two on the trot that have certainly relieved the pressure that was mounting on Erik ten Hag and his team.

In particular, the midfielder’s work-rate and intensity have earned him praise from the manager and supporters.

After the Burnley game, Ten Hag told journalists that Hannibal was “perfect” and did the job that was required of him.

An analysis conducted by Sky Sports revealed that the 20-year-old covered ran an astonishing 12.9 kilometres against Burnley at Turf Moor.

No other United player has covered such a distance this season.

Even more impressive is that the 12.9 kilometres is further than any United star has managed since Ten Hag took over the club’s reins last summer.

Sky Sports further added that the distance is more than any United player has run since such records started being collected in 2019.

Hannibal’s pressing numbers also make for incredible reading. His ability to close off players and force the opposition into mistakes has enabled the Red Devils to reclaim possession and play on the front foot.

Pressing and working hard off the ball is an aspect of the game Ten Hag has always emphasized and Hannibal is certainly coming up with the goods in this respect.

Against the Clarets, he completed a mind-blowing 104 pressures – the most by any player in a Premier League match this campaign.

Sky explains, “Factor in his cameo against Brighton and Mejbri is averaging 100 pressures per 90 minutes – the next man on the list is Rasmus Hojlund with 79.”

The thing that stuck out is that Hannibal does not just jog while enacting his defensive responsibilities. He sprints.

This is evidenced by the number of sprinting pressures – those where the presser reaches a sustained speed in excess of 25 kilometres per hour.

Hannibal tops the charts in this category at 14.4 sprinting pressures.

Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier ranks in second place at 13.5 springing pressures.

Earlier this month Ten Hag said, “To keep a game under control, to dominate an opponent, the pressing has to be right. We want to play proactive football, to play dynamic football. Pressing is a part of it.”

Hannibal is a living embodiment of this principle and it’s no surprise he’s finding joy in terms of first-team minutes and his growing status within the team.

The post Hannibal Mejbri’s record-breaking numbers for Man United underline his importance appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

90min reveal talks are ongoing between the Tunisian midfielder’s representatives and Old Trafford officials.

A report covered by The Peoples Person earlier in the summer had revealed the initiation of these talks, though negotiations may have ramped up in recent weeks as a result of the midfielder’s impressive form and other clubs potentially beginning to circle.

Mejbri’s current contract is set to expire in 2024, though the club retain the right to extend this by a further season if necessary.

According to sources at United, however, club officials do not want to have to exercise this option. Instead, they would prefer to tie the talented youngster down to a new contract, securing Mejbri’s long-term future at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag is reported to be a “fan” of the midfielder and keen to see a successful conclusion to the negotiations.

Mejbri has established himself firmly in the Dutchman’s plans over the last few weeks, following a spate of injuries throughout the squad.

The Tunisian came off the bench in the disappointing loss to Brighton to score a fantastic consolation goal.

He was then rewarded with the starting berth in the number ten role a week later against Burnley, displacing Bruno Fernandes who was moved out to the right.

Mejbri’s energy and physicality in this game were refreshing additions to a lethargic midfield, with his intelligent and creative use of the ball a stark contrast to the inept display of Scott McTominay.

After the hard-fought 1-0 win, Ten Hag described Mejbri’s performance as “perfect.”

The Dutch manager will be relieved to see the services of a player capable of delivering perfect midfield performances secured on a long-term basis.

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