Hannibal Mejbri sends message to Ralf Rangnick before returning to Man Utd

Hannibal Mejbri has set his sights on a place in the Manchester United first team as he continues to wait for his opportunity.

The youngster is currently away at AFCON with Tunisia but has long been tipped for a bright future.

Mejbri, signed from Monaco in 2019, has only ever played once in the Premier League but is hoping for more chances.

The 19-year-old midfielder operates in a position in which United have been linked with new faces.

Currently Ralf Rangnick turns to the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic.

However he has shown by including Anthony Elanga that he is more than willing to back youth.

Mejbri has outlined his ambitions ahead of his Old Trafford return.

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He told Le Parisien : "When I go back to United, we will see if there will be any changes for me and if I can try to earn a place in the team. In any case, I'll work hard for it."

Several United youngsters have opted to head out on loan, but the teenager has chosen to remain in Manchester.

Rangnick has already opened the door to more involvement for the Tunisian, whom he has been keeping tabs on.

He declared recently: "I watched the final (of the Arab Cup) before his substitution and I'm fully aware that we have another good, highly-talented player coming from our youth ranks.

"Hopefully after the Africa Cup of Nations he can regularly train and be part of our group."

Mejbri has impressed those who look after the club's youth products.

The former Monaco man will have seen a host of individuals be given opportunities since arriving at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer regularly giving players a chance.

Rangnick has already handed debuts to the likes of Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal during his short tenure.

"He is a talented boy and like all good players he will get targeted by any opposition," said United youth coach Neil Ryan in March 2020.

"That is what he has to learn, how to channel and focus his energies and not to get caught up in that."

Mejbri has also outlined his hopes of playing for his country at the World Cup in Qatar this winter, but will need game time to further those ambitions.

He said in the past: "It's a real ambition we all want to fulfill. Everyone is dreaming of returning to Qatar in a year's time to play at the World Cup, and we'll continue to work hard towards that.

"For my part, I'll do all I can to be included in the squad and even start games with Tunisia at Qatar 2022. Why not?"