Erik ten Hag ‘stance’ on Hannibal Mejbri loan exit plus more Manchester United transfer rumours

Erik ten Hag is reportedly hesitant to allow Hannibal Mejbri to leave Manchester United on loan in January until he assesses the fitness of other midfielders in his squad.

United are expected to welcome back long-term injured duo Casemiro and Mason Mount this month while Sofyan Armabat could soon return after missing the last two games with a small issue.

The club allowed Donny van de Beek leave for German outfit Frankfurt on an initial loan on New Year’s Day with the Dutchman playing just 21 minutes so far this season. However, midfield ranks are now stretched and Hannibal may be called upon for the club's upcoming fixtures.

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The academy graduate has asked not to be picked for Tunisia’s Africa Cup of Nations squad this month, meaning he will stay in-house while Amrabat jets off to represent Morocco in the tournament.

Hannibal has only played 15 minutes of Premier League football since his last competitive start against Burnley on September 23, although he began November’s League Cup defeat to Newcastle.

Despite his limited game time, Daily Mail claims Ten Hag does not want to sanction a loan exit for the 20-year-old in case Mount and Casemiro are not fit and firing by the end of the month. MEN Sport understands that academy products Dan Gore and Joe Hugill may be loaned out to EFL clubs this window.

Meanwhile, The Mail also claims that David Moyes is hesitant about bringing Jadon Sancho to West Ham despite tentative links with the Hammers. Sancho is bound for a loan exit this month amid his long-standing fallout with Ten Hag.

The Dutchman is said to be very keen to offload the winger with West Ham