Manchester United youngster signs new deal and then makes a season-long loan switch to Aston Villa
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 08.08.21. | 15:42
DR Congo-born defender should get more playing time after an injury-ravaged last season
Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe will spend the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Aston Villa. The 23-year-old has also signed a new contract at Manchester United, lasting until June 2023, with the option of an additional year's extension.
Villa boss Dean Smith has identified Tuanzebe as the ideal player to compete for a place at the heart of the defence with Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause. Tuanzebe will return to Villa Park this summer after playing for the club on two separate loan deals while Villa were in the Championship.
🚨 BREAKING: Axel Tuanzebe has joined Aston Villa on loan, the Midlands club have confirmed #mufc #mujournal pic.twitter.com/VAErCR91Yz
— United Journal (@theutdjournal) August 8, 2021
Axel made five appearances during the 2017/18 season under Steve Bruce and added another 25 in claret and blue the following season under the current manager and Smith, who was appointed in October 2018 following Bruce's sacking.
During that 2018/19 campaign with Villa, Tuanzebe missed 16 matches after a metatarsal fracture. However, the centre-back still played his part in helping Villa gain promotion through the Championship play-offs and back into the Premier League.
Manager Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer backed the youngster to stay fit and healthy because his future is still at Old Trafford.
"He's got all the attributes a centre-back at Manchester United needs. He can play right-back and centre-mid. He played at left-back last season against Arsenal, a fantastic game. For me now, it's about keeping him injury-free, keeping him consistently out there on the training ground, and playing games so he's got all the work because he's missed too much football early on in his career. We knew he would be fit around about this time, and he's worked really hard. We believe in the kid, that's for sure. He's proven that in glimpses, but now it's about being consistent."
With Manchester United adding Raphael Varane to their squad, it was clear that Tuanzebe would be highly unlikely to feature for the Red Devils in the new season. The loan switch to a familiar surrounding of Birmingham is probably the best move for the DR Congo-born player.
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