I understand what you’re saying, I’m just saying (and I might be wrong) that it wasn’t necessarily a negative jibe at France, more of a positive statement about Meijbri and his talents. It sounds like it’s a bone of contention for you, so maybe it just grated a little and I appreciate what you are saying if that’s the case but I think it’s just a harmless angle for saying “I hope he becomes so good that the national team that arguably produces more talent than any other still feels they could have done with him”.
Hannibal Mejbri - Manchester United Player
- Thread starter IrishRedDevil
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
I didn't took it as a negative jab at France but at a negative way of looking at something that is pure joy for Mejbri.
Maybe he has something personal against the FFF. Maybe a lot of things, but i think it's natural for someone to wonder if he thinks he's not good enough for France.
Don't think he has any doubts about being good enough. He's 18 and on the verge of breaking into the Manchester United first team.
Aye, he has great potential which I'm sure is what most United fans care about, so hopefully it's just nationalism and not confidence. We'll love him whoever he represents.
Why would he have something against the FFF? He isn't different to the likes of Aubameyang, Mahrez, Koulibaly and many others.
It's a joke on how the Irish regret Grealish choosing to represent England when he represented Ireland at youth level.
True it's not unheard of as France is fantastically diverse, but I would argue that those names weren't as highly rated when they were young. Mahrez in particular, guy was a championship player before Ranieri transformed him.
Honestly I think his comment was more directed at the "reverse Grealish" part, given they're Irish. Probably thinking about what could've been with him and potentially the English regretting missing out on him, it would've been a real feather in the cap for them I imagine.
As for Mejbri it's nice to see him start his transition into senior football, hopefully this call up gives him a boost going into next season for us.
Mahrez was a championship player because Leicester offered him a relatively big salary, Marseille wanted him but couldn't afford it.
Fair enough, I didn't had that context.
He's turned down numerous call ups for France u19s in the last year. It's also said that Mejbri spends more time in Tunisia rather than France during his free time. His parents are also both Tunisian, so I'm sure they would've had a big influence on his decision.
And playing for Tunisia at a early age, might actually accelerate his development, which can only help the player and United.
And playing for Tunisia at a early age, might actually accelerate his development, which can only help the player and United.
There we go, first Arab to play for United 
By Arab I mean a player who represents an Arab national team. Fellaini played for Belgium and if I’m not mistaken El-Fitouri never played for United’s first team.
Anyone know if I’m missing someone?
By Arab I mean a player who represents an Arab national team. Fellaini played for Belgium and if I’m not mistaken El-Fitouri never played for United’s first team.
Anyone know if I’m missing someone?
That he’s made this decision so early is a strong indicator it’s a decision made from the heart.
Yeh this is what I think too, he’ll be playing a fair few games at an adult level. I don’t know much about the Tunisian team, but based on his talent alone I imagine he would be starting for them soon enough.
I looked at their squad. He will probably be playing for them straight away.
Like the poster said above, he'll likely be starting games for them straight away.
Tunisia are the weakest of the big North African countries. Nowhere near Morocco/Algeria and not as good as Egypt. He’ll probably be eased in for these friendlies coming up but after that I expect him to be a regular.
yup. No offence meant whatsoever.
Didn't realise Aubameyang was born in France until reading this.
I’m not saying he’s ready or not- but I personally feel if he doesn’t get the chance to play for the first team next year then he will probably end up with the mindset of wanting to leave.
I feel like young forwards gets played in a team a lot whilst young midfielders and defenders can really struggle to get a game.
I feel like young forwards gets played in a team a lot whilst young midfielders and defenders can really struggle to get a game.
Im happy for him that he made this decision from the heart rather than thinking about which national team is the best. No doubt he may have won something with France but it’s surely gotta be a bit hollow if you don’t consider yourself from that country.
Yeah, international football is more about relationships and having a memorable experience. It's a shame that some players barely experience it even when they have the opportunity to play for more than one nation.
Came into the thread to say this. Especially under Ole, I've followed Hannibal a bit the last few years and I think we'd heavily regret him leaving playing elsewhere because of us not giving him a proper chance.
He won’t be with the reserves next season. He will either get a loan or be with the first team. I honestly think it’s going to be the latter and I think he will get 25+ appearances under his belt.
We spent a small fortune to bring him here already. Unless he seriously goes off the rails, or gets unlucky with injuries, he'll get a chance sooner rather than later.
Sooner unless we are going for Grealish. He has so many similar attributes
not sure about the % but a lot of players who represent African nations like Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon etc.. are born and raised in France, and normally they would be eligible to play for France or their country of origin.
Brilliant he's been called up. Makes it all the more likely that he'll get chances here soon, hard to ignore him when he's playing for his national team in meaningful matches. If he gets the chance, he'll likely take it. Delighted for him.
He'll most certainly be part of the pre season matches, alongside Garner, Elanga, Shoretire and Amad, and I believe he is good enough to get a number of first team games this season, especially League Cup. Some of those players, also Galbraith, Levitt, Laird and Mengi, will get another season long loan, hopefully to the right club, but Hannibal will be part of the first team squad, I'm certain.
I’d love to see a lot more of him this season in the first team, where possible.
Exciting to see him develop.
Our scouts have played an absolute blinder here. I know Hannibal was expensive for a youth player but he’s as close to a cert as I’ve seen. He oozes class and confidence in himself. There’s no way he’ll let games pass him by, he’ll get stuck in and I think he can create at a high level if he’s given chances.
I respect that way more than people who join a national team for a chance at titles. It's funny too because I made a comment how I was looking forward to see him turn up for France along with Camavinga and Atchouemani and then the news came out later that same day. Best of luck to him and honestly he will most likely get in quickly with the national team which gives him more rep time at pro level which can only help him for next season at United, he probably wouldn't have gotten called up for a while yet if he chose to represent France, although I don't think that was the factor in his decision.
I expect both Amad and Hannibal to get Greenwood 19-20 season type chances
I expect them 3 to be full first team players in 1-2 years
I expect them 3 to be Ballon d'Or winners in 4-5 years.
I expect them 3 to be considered GOATs in 6-7 years.
I don't think we'll go for Grealish. Too much money involved and we already have good players in the position he operates in best.
We're not City, we won't be stockpiling like that anytime soon with the Glazers still around.
I expect them 3 to form their own superleague in 8-9 years.
I expect them to form their own players in 9-10 years.