Manchester United's Hannibal joins Sevilla on loan as Onana left out of Cameroon squad

Midfielder Hannibal opted out of joining Tunisia for Africa Cup of Nations dity this month so he could secure his club future

Hannibal Mejbri has made 10 appearances for Manchester united this season. AFP

Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has joined struggling La Liga side Sevilla on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 season.

The French-born 20-year-old was expected to be away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Tunisia this month but opted instead to stay behind in England to secure his club future.

It is understood that Sevilla have an option to purchase Hannibal for an initial £20 million in the summer plus a further £3 million in add-ons.

United have also included a buy-back option and a sell-on fee if he departs elsewhere.

Hannibal joined United from Monaco in 2019 and has made 10 appearances this season, the last of which came in last week's FA Cup third-round win over Wigan Athletic.

He has failed to nail down a regular first-team place under United boss Erik ten Hag despite injuries to the likes of Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen.

"Best of luck to Hannibal," said Manchester United on the club website.

Andre Onana flew out to meet up with the Cameroon squad in Ivory Coast following Manchester United's 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Sunday. AP

Onana links up with Cameroon squad at Afcon

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a grueling trip to link up with Cameroon before their opening Afcon game against Guinea on Monday – only to be left out of the squad entirely by coach Rigobert Song.

Onana flew to Abidjan in Ivory Coast Ivorian Coast after playing in United's 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

From there the player reported difficulties getting another flight to the capital Yamoussoukro, forcing him to make the journey by road instead.

Such a trip would normally take two-and-a-half hours, but heavy traffic in Abidjan and traffic restrictions imposed by police for Afcon security measures mean most journeys during the tournament face delays.

“It's logical. He arrived at 4 o'clock in the morning. How do you want him to play?” Song said after the game. The coach added: “He's part of the group."

Onana has had a difficult relationship with former Liverpool defender Song since he was named Cameroon coach in February 2022.

The 27-year-old quit the national team after he was sent home from the 2022 World Cup following a dispute with Song, but returned after apparently winning back the coach's favour.

INEOS Sport CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe poses for photographs with fans after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday January 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Ratcliffe meets with United supporters

Sir Jim Ratcliffe met supporter representatives and local community leaders on Monday as he continues to await Premier League ratification of his investment in Manchester United.

Ratcliffe attended United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, his first appearance since the announcement of his prospective £1.3 billion deal.

The Ineos chairman, who watched the game alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, has conducted a series of meetings with club staff and associates in recent days.

After meeting with leaders of the independent Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, Ratcliffe spoke with local leaders including senior representatives of Trafford Council, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Ratcliffe is reportedly already planning to lead an overhaul of United’s playing squad, starting with four new players to aid Ten Hag’s bid to lead a belated charge for Europe.

United are currently seventh in the Premier League table with 32 points after 21 games, eight points off fourth-placed Arsenal.

Man United v Tottenham ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Richarlison’s header glanced past him, meaning Spurs scored in 33 consecutive league games, a club record. Looked vulnerable at Spurs’ excellent corners. On his knees when Bentancur placed the ball in for the second. Soft goals. Getty Images

Tidy at right back but needed to be closer to Werner in a 10th-minute attack. Won more tackles, duels, ball recoveries and made more blocks than any other player on the pitch. Getty Images

Touched the ball 47 times. In a game where United dominated, that figure would be over 100. Instead, he was chasing Spurs fast (and second-string) forwards. Getty Images

Won the ball high up the pitch to start the move for the second goal, but also poor for Spurs’ second goal. Getty Images

The right back played at left back and was competent, though Richarlison was his man for Spurs’ opener. Yellow card for a sliding tackle on Johnson. Charged through the middle to help United’s attack. Reuters

Barely involved – just 20 touches in 57 minutes. Played just under an hour against his former team in a side that was second best for most of the game. Spurs' midfield, though depleted, was superior and dominated. PA

Up for the physical battle with Betancur, less so with Romero. Twice lost his men at set pieces. Positioning poor for Spurs' second. He’ll learn, he has time. Possession brings calmness is Ten Hag’s mantra. United didn’t have possession. PA

Did well in the build-up to the opening goal. Difficult against Udogie and the speed of Van de Ven was a challenge. Lovely cross to McTominay at the last. Getty Images

Super ball forward to Rashford in the build-up to the first goal. Hit a shot miles over. Kept trying. Some balls came off, others didn’t for a team still low on confidence. AFP

Started well, set up the opener, then went past Porro on 15. Got into space, though final balls didn’t convince. His ball was headed against the post on 38, before he scored the second on 39. Brilliant finish. First goal in 15 games at Old Trafford and his best half of a poor season so far. Faded in the second half, like his team. AP

Smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it two in two in the Premier League after a dry start. A fine strike. Booked for scrapping with Romero. Still needs more service but that’s hard to come by when your team has 32 per cent of possession. AFP

SUBS: (On for Eriksen 58’) Went straight into a hard tackle against Romero. Shot wide on 61. Difficult as Spurs were dominating. Free header on 94. Should have done better. Reuters

(On for Evans 63’) Came on to a huge roar amid chants of ‘Argentina!’ United will be hoping he can be as influential as last season and he looked better than at the start of this season. AFP

(On for Rashford 88’) Getty Images

SPURS RATINGS: No chance with Hojlund’s thumping strike or Rashford’s well-placed finish, United’s only shots on target the entire game. Getty Images

Sent over two perfectly placed corners; one provided an assist for Richarlison’s leveller and the other set up Romero who headed against the bar. AP

Welcome first appearance since early November for Spurs. Dutch defender was nutmegged making a desperate sliding lunge trying to stop Rashford from scoring for United. Limped off near the end with what looked like cramp. Solid return. Getty Images

Back from injury and captaining side, Argentine crashed a header against United bar just before half-time. Excellent pass out from the back started the move for Spurs’ second goal. PA

Tackled Rashford in the penalty area only to inadvertently provide an assist for Hojlund’s early goal and hit his own post with a header later in the first half. Marked Garnacho out of the game. EPA

Rare start under manager Postecoglou. Frustrated with himself when he sent shot wide of the target in the first half, also had one comedy fall over his own feet after the break but Dane generally did OK in Spurs' engine room. Getty Images

A bundle of energy in the middle of the park, kept things simple but always effective with his distribution. A good night’s work from the 23-year-old. Getty Images

Uruguayan had a header from a corner cleared off the line that would have made it 1-1. Booked for kicking the ball away. Drilled home a lovely left-footed finish to level the scores just 50 seconds after half-time. AFP

Debut for the surprise loan signing. Had three sights of goal in the first half but failed to force Onana into a save, which will sound familiar to Chelsea fans. Earned an assist with a pass for Bentacur’s goal, then volleyed another effort over himself. Getty Images

Quiet opening 45 minutes bar one good cross to set up a chance for Werner and a scuffed shot straight at the keeper. Similar story after the break. Not enough impact or quality final ball from the attacker who has scored only once this season. AFP

Rose highest to head home from a corner for his sixth goal in six league games to make it 1-1. Drilled a weak effort straight at Onana early in the second half. Still guilty of going down theatrically to slight challenges. PA

SUBS: (On for Werner 81’) Getty Images

(On for Skipp 85’) Debut for Romanian defender just signed from Italian side Genoa. PA

(On for Van de Van 89’) Getty Images