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According to The Mirror, Manchester United are prepared to give Axel Tuanzebe a chance next season, meaning that Aston Villa are unlikely to bring him back to the club. However, would it actually be a blow if he wasn’t to return to the Midlands?
What’s the word?
Tuanzebe has been a hit at Villa Park and is currently in his second loan spell with the club after impressing following an initial period with the Villans last season.
The 6 ft 1 defender has been even better this term, showing strong improvement having formed a crucial partnership alongside Tyrone Mings.
Back in March, The Sun reported that United were prepared to let the 21-year-old move on loan again in order to further his development.
But that now looks to have changed with The Mirror suggesting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will give him a chance in the first team when he returns.
Blessing in disguise
Tuanzebe is one of a number of shrewd loan signings Villa have made this season but should he not return, it won’t actually be too big a blow.
Dean Smith will need defensive reinforcements when the likes of Mings and Kortney Hause’s loan deals also end but Tuanzebe should be the least of his concerns.
His injury record since signing for Villa dictates that his spot in the squad would be better off invested elsewhere. He missed 17 games from December until late March during the current campaign after a metatarsal fracture. He also had an injury-hit first spell which saw him play just five times for the Villans in 2017/18.
Given other defensive injury issues Villa have had this season, then bringing back another injury prone man is the last thing they need.
Losing him would be damaging but the injuries he’s picked up since being at the club suggests he won’t be as big a loss as some imagine.