Man Utd players ask for mercy from opponents

Man Utd midfielder Hannibal Mejbri asked his Tunisian teammate, currently playing for Copenhagen, Elias Achouri, to go easy on him when they met in the third round of Group A of the Champions League on the evening of October 24.

"I called Hannibal after the Champions League group stage draw. We also spoke during the international break," Achouri said ahead of the Man Utd-Copenhagen game. "He told me to calm down a bit and not kill the Man Utd players. But I told Hannibal that I had to do it, or at least try."

Achouri has two goals in 10 games this season for Copenhagen. Photo: TS

Achouri predicted the match against Man Utd on 24 October would be one of the greatest moments of his career. He wanted to focus and bring good results to Copenhagen. He also told Mejbri that Copenhagen would win and then the two players would exchange shirts.

Achouri claims to know Mejbri very well, having played for Tunisia together. In addition, having grown up in France, the two players are very close.

Achouri made his Tunisia debut in 2022, playing six games but has yet to score. At club level, the 24-year-old striker has played for Victoria Guimaraes, Estoril, Trofense (Portugal), Viborg, before moving to Copenhagen (Denmark) in July 2023. After 10 games for his new club, he has scored two goals.

While Achouri played for smaller clubs, Mejbri came through the ranks at Man Utd. After impressing in the English First Division while on loan at Birmingham City last season, the 20-year-old midfielder was promoted to the first team by coach Erik ten Hag. After four appearances, Mejbri scored once, in a 1-3 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League on September 16.

Mejbri celebrates the equalizer in Man Utd's 1-3 loss to Brighton on September 16. Photo: AMA — Mejbri celebrates the equalizer in Man Utd's 1-3 loss to Brighton on September 16. Photo: *AMA*

In the first two matches of Group A of the Champions League, Man Utd lost 3-4 to Bayern and 2-3 to Galatasaray. Mejbri and his teammates are currently at the bottom of the table, while Copenhagen is right above them with one point. Meanwhile, Bayern leads with six points, while Galatasaray is second with four points. If they don't beat Copenhagen, Man Utd will face the risk of being eliminated from the group stage.

Domestically, Copenhagen are in better form than United. Achouri's side are top of the Danish league with 26 points from 12 games, one point ahead of second-placed Silkeborg. United, meanwhile, are eighth in the Premier League with 15 points, after five wins and four losses.

Thanh Quy (according to Tipsbladet )

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