Manchester United will consider an Axel Tuanzebe loan move away from Old Trafford, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager.
Shrager reports that the club have approved the centre-back’s request to leave on loan for the forthcoming 2021/22 season.
Axel Tuanzebe Loan Request Approved as Defender Seeks Regular Action
Current Situation
Axel Tuanzebe is one of the many talented players to have graduated from the Manchester United academy in recent years. The 23-year-old, who picked up the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2015, struggled for regular football last season. Despite a strong start in October, when keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet in a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, Tuanzebe made just 19 appearances for Manchester United throughout the whole campaign.
Starting just eight games after that magnificent night in Paris, he failed to impress Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enough to surpass either Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire. Tuanzebe also often found himself behind Eric Bailly, who signed a new contract a few months ago, in the pecking order.
Turning 24 in November, Tuanzebe still possesses bags of potential and it appears he wants to be given the opportunity to deliver week in, week out.
Raphael Varane Reports Not Helpful
With reports that Manchester United are in for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, with Bailly, Lindelof and Maguire all looking likely to remain at Old Trafford, the competition for places becomes even more difficult for Tuanzebe.
Tuanzebe is, of course, no stranger to going out on loan. In 2018, he joined Aston Villa, who were in the Championship at the time, for a brief stint. That spell was cut short with him picking up an injury but he’d impressed enough for them to take him back for the season come the next transfer window. Tuanzebe impressed at Villa Park, making a total of 35 appearances, and helping the Villains secure promotion via the play-offs in 2019.
Since then he has remained with Manchester United and made 30 appearances in two years. His minutes played in the promotion season with Villa are far ahead of those he has managed in the last 24 months for United. Though, injuries haven’t always been kind – particularly in 2019/20.
Newcastle United Interested in Axel Tuanzebe Loan
In addition, t0 Shrager’s report that the Red Devils are willing to let Tuanzebe go temporarily, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has reported interest from Newcastle United in taking the versatile defender.
Tuanzebe is able to play in multiple positions, proving his capability at right-back, centre-back (preferred), left-back and in midfield. This will all come in good use for him over the years.
The interest from Newcastle is hardly surprising given Steve Bruce, then-Aston Villa boss, signed him on loan twice.
Finest Manchester United Moments So Far
Hope still remains in Axel Tuanzebe coming good as a Manchester United defender but it’s hard not to feel he needs 12 months of regular football, preferably in the Premier League, to get where he needs to be. Unfortunately, whilst the door is not closed, players going out on loan have struggled to get back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans, though Diogo Dalot, may have the opportunity to change that theory in the coming months – that is if he doesn’t return to AC Milan on loan – the Rossoneri are currently offering another loan with an option to buy, according to Fabrizio Romano, but Manchester United are yet to accept their advances.
Tuanzebe is already remembered for that grand night in Paris, as previously mentioned, but he will personally hold the penalty shootout victory over Rochdale in the Carabao Cup close to his heart. A game, in September 2019, that he started as captain. The former England youth international will hope to build on those moments upon his return if he does manage to go out on loan.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
