Manchester United paid an initial €5m to sign then 16-year-old Hannibal Mejbri from Monaco in 2019.
It was a sizeable transfer fee for someone who was yet to legally buy a pint of lager.
That deal was agreed because United viewed Hannibal as no ordinary teenager. Hannibal had already built quite the reputation and Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were interested. That was before United seized the initiative, and then his signature. United weren't afraid of flexing their muscle to get ahead of the competition. They gave Hannibal special treatment.
John Murtough, now director of football at Old Trafford, provided the youngster with a trip to Norway to watch United's July 2019 friendly against Kristiansund. Hannibal took the match in and met Paul Pogba. He was sold on the club and the rest was history.
"He’s a very, very talented boy but he’s still very immature. He’s still a baby, he’s just 17," Nicky Butt told the Manchester Evening News upon Hannibal's arrival. "He’s not got anything on him just yet, he needs to build up his size and build up his physicality.
"Talent-wise, he’s got such an immense talent to go on and play at a high level but there’s a long way to go."
Almost exactly two years on from those comments from Butt and Hannibal has transformed from boy into man. His physique has naturally filled out and become stronger with time. He's no longer the 'baby' that sheepishly arrived from France.
Hannibal was named United's Under-23s Player of the Year last season and he was finally beginning to deliver on his promise. Hannibal scored four goals and recorded eight assists in 25 appearances, but his contribution went beyond statistics on paper. The youngster was never afraid of the opposition or a strong challenge. He was displaying the qualities needed to succeed in the senior game.
This was duly recognised and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Hannibal his full United debut on the final day of last season as United beat Wolves at Molineux. That suggested United fans would see more of Hannibal this campaign, but he's yet to make a first-team appearance. Manchester Evening News understands that is soon set to change.
Ralf Rangnick has been impressed with Hannibal in the few sessions he's had with the player and Hannibal's performances with Tunisia at the FIFA Arab Cup and Africa Cup of Nations across recent months has placed him firmly in the German's thoughts.
It is also understood that Hannibal had the opportunity to take a holiday between the Arab Cup and AFCON, but instead chose to return to Manchester in order to train with the senior squad and catch the eye of Rangnick.
His dedication is bound to pay dividends and it's expected Hannibal will play his part at United for the remainder of the season.
There is one aspect of Hannibal's game that has always been questioned, though. That's his discipline record. Hannibal received seven yellow cards and two red cards last term. The season before that he received eight yellow cards.
While the player will know he needs to get a handle on that record, which to be fair to Hannibal, could be worse because of the challenges he receives, there is an endearing fieriness burning deep inside him. He has a ruthless edge.
That's a trait that Sir Alex Ferguson always wanted in his players. The legendary former United boss is on record as saying he made his players have a 'mental toughness' about them. Fiery characters in the United dressing room underpinned his every success.
United have endured a tumultuous season and the character of some in the current dressing room at Old Trafford has also been brought into question. Hannibal could be a breath of fresh air in that environment. He possesses the naivety of youth.
The 19-year-old is ready for regular opportunities and Rangnick appears ready to roll the dice.
