Pranav Nair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sheds light on the futures of Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones at Manchester United
According to the club’s official site, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up on the immediate futures of both Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones at Old Trafford.
This comes after the announcement that United have agreed on terms with Real Madrid for Raphael Varane. The French superstar will be expected to go straight into the starting XI alongside skipper Harry Maguire. With Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly providing further cover, a decision has to be made on the other centre-backs at the club.
One of these players, Tuanzebe, looks set to leave the club on loan. Solskajer confirmed as much and admitted that there is little choice otherwise given the depth in the position. This could finally be the break the 23-year-old is looking for in his search for regular playtime.
“Of course, with Raphael coming in, I can see Axel going out.”
Perhaps surprisingly, another defender, Phil Jones looks set to stay on at the Theatre of Dreams. The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries and has not made a single first-team appearance for us in the last 18 months. Whether Solskjaer’s revelation is motivated by the lack of interest in him in the market remains to be seen.
“He’s always served the club, but it was time for him to look after himself and his own health, but now he’s ready to train with us.”
The Norwegian also revealed that the veteran is set to return to training this weekend, a welcome development for a player keen to return to football. Solskjaer is keen to ease the player back into the game and may first unleash him in the Under 23s.
While loyalty to the player is admirable, it is debatable exactly what Jones can offer United at this point in time. Hopefully, his return to fitness will attract potential suitors to make a punt for him. At 29, he still has a few years left in him.
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It is fair to say that of the two, Tuanzebe is the one likely to have a future at United. The academy graduate has impressed whenever he has been given an opportunity and a good spell out on loan will only see his star rise further.
