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Axel Tuanzebe, Manchester United’s promising young center back, has joined Championship side Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season. After breaking through into the first team at the end of last season, Tuanzebe only managed three appearances for United so far this season, with only a single start. With a handful of senior defenders blocking his path to a regular role, Tuanzebe has gone to Villa in hopes of playing regularly.
Tuanzebe is highly rated at the club, and Jose Mourinho sees a bright future for him at United:
“Tuanzebe is a very good player that is not having lots of possibilities to play here. But he’s our player and he will be our player – no chance we give up on such a talented boy. He is a player that we like very much.”
The former reserves captain will be under the tutelage of former United defender Steve Bruce, and will link up with Sam Johnstone, whose loan at Villa will likely be turned into a permanent move soon. Unfortunately, our Axel will be competing for a place with the vile John Terry. Aston Villa currently sit fourth in the Championship table, and are pushing for promotion to the Premier League.
The fact that Tuanzebe has been allowed to leave in search of regular football is also a sign that Eric Bailly could be set to return from injury within the next month.