Tahith Chong has warned Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri that it will take time to adapt to the difficulty of the Championship.
Chong spent last season on loan at Birmingham and he permanently signed for the club in September. United have a good working relationship with Birmingham and Hannibal was subsequently loaned to St. Andrew's where he'll play with Chong.
Hannibal, 19, has always been highly regarded in United's academy and he was involved with the first-team last season, but Erik ten Hag decided that a loan was best for his development this term, in an attempt to give him consistent first-team minutes.
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Although Hannibal is yet to start a match for Birmingham in the Championship, Chong has no doubt that he will be successful on loan this season. Chong has said that the Championship is a difficult division but that he is not concerned for Hannibal.
“What was funny with him we did the whole pre-season together, we were in Thailand and Australia together then the last couple of weeks at United,” Chong told BirminghamLive. “I think I have only not seen him for about four or five days.
"Then we see each other again. It’s nice - hopefully he kicks on and has a good season. He brings an energy, that’s known from Hannibal, he has got a bit a temperature side to him as well. I like that, I think he will bring a lot to of that to the team.
"On the ball as well he can play. I think he is quite used to being kicked, in the 23s I remember when he used to play I have seen him get kicked around a lot. I think he will be fine. For him it’s just about keep developing, the game time he is getting keep improving.
"It’s his first loan as well, I remember mine, you are always trying to get used to everything and the Championship is not an easy league – just getting used to the league. He will be just fine – I am not worried about Hannibal at all.”
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