‘Wouldn’t be possible’ - Man Utd starlet’s loan choice lauded by national team boss amid development concerns

Hannibal Mejbri’s prospects of progressing with Manchester United and Tunisia will be boosted by his loan spell at Championship club Birmingham City.

That was the verdict of national team manager Jalel Kadri as he assessed Mejbri’s development ahead of this winter’s World Cup Finals in Qatar.

The 19-year-old midfielder is rated as one of United’s most exciting prospects after he made his senior debut in a 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the 2020/21 season.

The former Monaco youngster went on to add two further Premier League appearances to his tally last season, appearing as a substitute in a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool before earning a first senior start in a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace.

A first loan move of his fledgling career was secured this summer when Birmingham fought off interest from several clubs to secured a season-long deal for the United youngster.

Mejbri has made six substitute appearances for the Blues and is still awaiting his first start for the second-tier club - but still remains part of Kadri’s plans for the World Cup finals.

Despite his relative inexperience at club level, Mejbri has already earned 18 caps for Tunisia and seems certain to secure a place in their squad for the tournament.

The Carthage Eagles will face France, Australia and Denmark in Group D and Kadri believes he will see the benefit of Mejbri’s loan spell with Birmingham when his squad get together next month.

“A young player with great potential, he is very lucky,” Kadri told BBC Arabic.

“We hoped that he would continue playing at Manchester United for his own benefit and for the benefit of the national team but this is professional football.

“Birmingham is an excellent club with a legacy, and the Championship is distinguished by the physical and technical level. We think that Hannibal made a positive choice in his professional career.

“What matter is the choices of Hannibal and his club to make him improve.

“His improvement wouldn’t be possible if he continues at Manchester Utd as he will not be playing as much as possible to improve, so it was the best choice for him.”

Mejbri will hope to be handed a first start for Birmingham when they host Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.