Hannibal Mejbri’s time at Manchester United has officially ended, as the Tunisian international completed a permanent transfer to Burnley on Wednesday. The move marks the next chapter for the 21-year-old midfielder, who signed a four-year deal with the Clarets in search of regular first-team football.
Mejbri, who was born in France but represents Tunisia at the international level, first joined Manchester United’s academy from AS Monaco in 2019.
He quickly rose through the ranks and made his senior debut for United in a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 23, 2021.
Despite showing glimpses of promise, the midfielder found it difficult to secure a consistent place in the starting lineup at Old Trafford, especially after the arrival of Erik ten Hag as manager.
During the 2022-23 season, Mejbri was loaned out to Birmingham City, where he enjoyed more game time in a competitive environment.
His spell with the Championship side was seen as a vital step in his development, as he continued to refine his skills and gain valuable experience.
Upon his return to United, he featured sparingly, making just 10 appearances across all competitions before being loaned to Sevilla in January for six months.
Despite his talent, Mejbri struggled to establish himself as a regular in Ten Hag’s plans.
Pre-season offered the young midfielder a final opportunity to impress, and he was included in United’s summer tour, where he made four appearances. However, with competition for places fierce at the club, Mejbri made the decision to seek more consistent playing time and accepted Burnley’s offer.
Speaking after his move to Burnley was confirmed, Mejbri expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career.
“I’m very excited. Very happy to be here and I can’t wait to see the fans.
I have played against Burnley before at Turf Moor and the atmosphere was amazing,” he told Burnley’s official media.
He also emphasized his positive discussions with Burnley’s head coach Scott Parker, noting that the club’s vision for the future played a significant role in his decision to join.
“After speaking to the coach, the project sounded good to me and hopefully we can make success.”
Mejbri’s move to Burnley represents a significant opportunity for the midfielder to establish himself in the Premier League under a new manager and with a fresh team.
The Clarets, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, will be eager to see what the young Tunisian can bring to their midfield as they aim for a strong campaign.
