Ralf Rangnick reveals ‘promising talent’ Hannibal Mejbri – who caught the eye during Cristiano Ronaldo’s first training session back at Man United – has been promoted to the first team squad… and he could feature against Middlesbrough tonight

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Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has promoted young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri to the first-team squad and revealed he could feature against Middlesbrough in Friday’s fourth-round FA Cup tie.

The 19-year-old made his Premier League debut on the final day of last season, coming on as a substitute for Juan Mata for the final eight minutes of United’s 2-1 win at Wolves.

Mejbri has yet to make a first-team appearance this season but has just returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty, which saw him feature for Tunisia in the group stages against Mali and Gambia. 

But Rangnick reveals he spotted Mejbri’s talent at last year’s first edition of the Arab Cup, which saw Tunisia reach the final before losing to winners Algeria.

‘We have Hannibal included in the squad,’ Rangnick told MUTV. ‘He will, from now on, regularly train with us and be a regular member of the squad. He will also be part of the squad for tomorrow’s [Friday’s] cup game.

‘To be honest, I haven’t seen that much of him as he was with the national team,’ he replied, when asked if he’d been impressed in training. ‘I saw him play in the tournament, not the Africa Cup of Nations but the one before [the Arab Cup].

‘I saw him play in the final and, from what I’ve seen so far, I think he’s a promising talent. He deserves to be part of the group for the rest of the season and also part of the group for tomorrow’s game.’

Mejbri has already caused Man United fans to go wild on social media this season, after impressing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese’s first training session back at the club in early September following his move from Juventus.

In a now-deleted clip shared by a United fan account, the teenager showed off some fancy footwork to beat fellow United midfielder Fred and then played the ball off to Donny van de Beek, now on loan at Everton.

The Dutchman then found Mejbri again, and after Fred’s failure to cut the pass out he takes a superb touch before running through on goal and having a shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Mejbri operates as an attacking midfielder and joined United’s academy in a £5million switch from Monaco in 2019. 

Despite representing France – the country of his birth – at U16 and U17 level, Mejbri opted to play for Tunisia last year, having gained eligibility through his parents.