Sevilla's boss, Quique Sanchez Flores, has issued an update on Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejri's start to life on loan at the Spanish club.
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Mejri not included in squadSanchez Flores issues statement on youngsterSevilla struggling in La LigaWHAT HAPPENED?
Sanchez Flores was critical of the youngster's start to his loan spell at Sevilla and believes he needs time to adjust. The Spanish side saw off competition from Everton to sign the United youngster after including a buy option, although, as it stands, the chances of that option being activated seem low. The club announced that he would not be considered for selection for their game against Osasuna or for the foreseeable future.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SANCHEZ FLORES SAID
On Hannibal's exclusion, Sanchez 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.
"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."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite being highly-rated and impressing in moments at United, Hannibal has struggled for minutes and consistency this season. The Tunisian has been unable to gel with team-mates in Seville and Sanchez Flores has deemed it necessary for him to take some time away from the first-team. It will worry United that what should have been a promising loan spell is in tatters already – but Hannibal has time to turn it around.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HANNIBAL?
The next five months in Spain will be incredibly slow and painful for Hannibal if he cannot win over the former Watford boss and find harmony in the Sevilla squad – nor will the Spanish side opt to sign him permanently. Meanwhile, Hannibal will be doing little to show his parent side that he is worth offering a new contract to, with his deal at United ending in 2025.