Varun Pai
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith provides verdict on Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (h/t United in Focus), Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith has expressed his delight on the performances of Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe.
The 23-year-old is a United academy product and was promoted to the first-team back in Jose Mourinho’s second season (2017/18) at Old Trafford. Although he did break into the senior squad that year, he immediately sought a loan move to Aston Villa.
The youngster was also sanctioned a loan move for the entire 2018/19 season at Villa Park. However, since returning back to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019, the Englishman has been a part of Solskjaer’s plans and often used him as a backup centre-back.
However, after the club signed Raphael Varane this summer, Tuanzebe’s game-time was going to be limited. The 23-year-old, thus, went back on loan to Dean Smith’s side earlier this summer and has already featured in 6 games across all competitions.
United and Villa are now going to go head-to-head on Saturday, and Dean Smith was asked about Tuanzebe’s performances so far. He told reporters in his pre-match press conference (h/t United in Focus):
“He’s (Tuanzebe) a fantastic player, that’s why we wanted him. On top of that, he’s got an unbelievable attitude and application to the game.
“His character within the dressing room – for me, there’s a future captain in there for whichever club he’s at. He’ll go back to Manchester United at the end of the season. He’s a wonderful character, and his game is getting better and better. He’s done exceptionally well since he’s come into the team.”
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It is safe to say that Tuanzebe has certainly impressed Dean Smith this season. The youngster will, however, not be allowed to feature in the game on the weekend due to the ‘terms of his loan deal’.
Regardless, this is good news for Solskjaer, who would be hoping to get a far more experienced player in his squad next season than the one he sent out on loan this summer.
