Man Utd starlet Hannibal Mejbri's true reason for 'mocking' Mo Salah celebration
Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri wasn't the player behind Tunisia's mockery of Mohamed Salah during their clash on international duty, a team-mate has claimed.
Liverpool star Salah, representing Egypt, was forced to stand and watch as Mejbri and co copied his signature celebration when they sealed a memorable 3-1 victory in Tuesday's friendly match. The United midfielder, 20, came on as a second-half substitute and soon found himself celebrating Hamza Rafia's clincher in stoppage time, where more needle was added to the fixture.
Mejbri and his team-mates went to the corner flag and adopted Salah's iconic yoga stance as they revelled in the win, prompting anger from Egyptian fans and Liverpool supporters. But Tunisia forward Elias Achouri has come to the 20-year-old's defence, telling Danish outlet Tipsbladet : "You have to know that it wasn't Hannibal who started it,"
"It was Hamza Rafia who scored the goal. He did that cheering scene, but because Hannibal did the same thing, people think he did it because he plays for Manchester United and has something going on with Salah for that reason. But it wasn't quite like that, as it was Rafia who did it, and he plays in Serie A [with Lecce].
"He doesn't care a bit about Liverpool. I don't think it was anything special against Mohamed Salah. It may be the media that drives it up. They sometimes want something to write about, so maybe they have used it."
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Mejbri, who enjoyed a productive season last time out on loan at Championship side Birmingham City, certainly didn't earn much respect from Liverpool fans during his one and only appearance against the Reds in April 2022. Coming on as a late sub during United's 4-0 humiliation, the French-born playmaker flew into challenges with Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson, picking up a yellow card in the process.
Have your say! Does Hannibal Mejbri deserve a start for Manchester United? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Mohamed Salah suffered defeat with Egypt, losing 3-1 to Tunisia (Mohamed Elshahed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)His fiery temper has also been on show in a number of his other appearances for United but boss Erik ten Hag rates him highly. Old Trafford chiefs rebuffed interest from Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Besiktas and Luton Town to keep Mejbri in Ten Hag's squad beyond transfer deadline day.
The 26-capped international is expected to be part of Tunisia's squad for next year's Africa Cup of Nations. Mejbri, who made the move to England in 2019 from Monaco, could miss up to nine United games, but he'll hope to have already established himself by then.
In an interview with Pro-Direct Soccer France last year, he affirmed: "I didn't come here for nothing, not to have on my CV: 'I played for United'. I came to prove to the world that a young person from Paris, from the neighbourhood, can come and impose himself. And me... I'm ready to risk everything to succeed at United."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
