Man Utd's Hannibal Mejbri has decided to withdraw himself from Tunisia's AFCON squad in surprise move

Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has opted to withdraw from Tunisia's squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The 20-year-old, who has made 27 appearances for his country, was expected to be named in Jalel Kadri's 27-man squad as they prepare to face Mali, South Africa and Namibia in Group E.

But ahead of their final warm-up matches against Mauritania and Cape Verde in early January, Mejbri has decided to make himself unavailable for selection.

Kadri would explain the reason behind the midfielder's absence in a press conference on Thursday.

"Hannibal told me that he did not feel ready for the Africa Cup of Nations because he is going through an important situation at his club," the 52-year-old said.

That important situation is believed to be regarding his impending future at club level. Mejbri has featured on 10 occasions for United this season, including an entertaining cameo in Tuesday night's 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

Erik ten Hag has also praised the former Birmingham loanee in recent times, but the Tunisian is close to securing a loan move away from Old Trafford.

In fact, Mejbri has three offers on the table, with Sevilla, Lyon and Freiburg all interested in his services, according to Fabrizio Romano.

All three teams are keen on using the midfielder as soon as possible, which wouldn't be possible if Mejbri was to join up with Tunisia at next month's tournament in the Ivory Coast.

The midfielder wants regular first-team minutes as he enters an important phase in his career, although Romano suggests talks to extend his current deal at Manchester United are underway.

If you’re gonna send Hannibal Mejbri on loan, it MUST be to a topflight club or else he’s better off staying with us.

A Luton move makes sense to me 🧐 pic.twitter.com/ZAVVW5T1GV

— Dev Bajwa (@ammandev) December 28, 2023

Mejbri penned a 'long-term' deal at the Premier League club in March 2021 after impressing at under-23 level.

After the midfielder decided against joining up with his country, here is Tunisia's 27-man squad in full as they prepare to face Namibia in their AFCON opener on January 16.

Goalkeepers: Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Dhamen (Al Hazem), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen), Montassir Talbi (Lorient), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Oussam Haddadi (Greuther Fürth), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Hamza Jelassi (Etoile du Sahel), Yan Valery (Angers), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Alaa Ghram (Sfaxien).

Midfielders: Houssem Tka (Esperance), Hamza Rafia (Leece), Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United), Aïssa Laïdouni (Union Berlin), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Ferencváros), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano), Bassem Srarfi (Club Africain)

Forwards: Youssef Msakni (Al-Arabi), Haythem Jouini (Stade Tunisien), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC), Sayfallah Ltaief (Winterthur), Naïm Sliti (Al Ahli Doha), Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa), Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen)