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Manchester United risk repeating a familiar transfer mistake if Axel Tuanzebe is allowed to depart following the arrival of Raphael Varane, whose £35million switch from Real Madrid is likely to be formally confirmed soon.
The Frenchman’s move will push Tuanzebe further down the pecking order, in which he already had Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly ahead of him.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reportedly send Tuanzebe a lifeline by allowing the 23-year-old to experience first-team football on loan next season, with Aston Villa the expected destination.
But a similar fate to several of his Red Devils team-mates could await.
The former England U21 international has struggled for game time since breaking into the United first team under Jose Mourinho four years ago.
There were just nine Premier League appearances last term and three of those came after Maguire had his season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury suffered in early May.
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Tuanzebe can also play at right-back but will find Matty Cash in his way. The 23-year-old’s form for the Villans last term prompted late calls for him to be included in the England squad for Euro 2020.
The United defender could follow a growing list of team-mates whose development has been stalled by frustrating loan spells.
Tahith Chong, once regarded as one of the club’s brightest prospects, played just 20 times across two loan spells at Werder Bremen and then Club Brugge last term.
The Dutchman has the chance to revive his United career at Championship side Birmingham City in the upcoming campaign.
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James Garner was sent on loan to Watford last season but a managerial change stalled his progress.
The 20-year-old played in 19 of Vladimir Ivic’s games in charge of the Hornets, but featured just twice under his successor, Xisco Munoz.
He was fortunate to enjoy a second loan at Nottingham Forest in the second of the campajgn however.
United midfielder Andreas Pereira has endured a similar struggle in failing to kick on while on loan.
The Brazilian, 25, has had temporary stays at Granada, Valencia and Lazio but none of those have helped him break into United’s first team.
Solskjaer has never appeared to fully trust Tuanzebe, despite a particularly impressive performance during a 2-1 Champions League group stage victory over Paris Saint-Germain in October.
The Norwegian has previously explained why the academy graduate has made few appearances, which might hint at the reasons behind a loan.
“Axel has always been a very positive boy and hardworking,” the 47-year-old said prior to United’s Europa League quarter-final against Granada in April.
“Victor and Harry have played, they’ve formed a very good partnership.
“Eric’s come in and played really well when he’s played so [Tuanzebe’s] chances have been limited, but he’s been training well and he’s ready for this opportunity.”
But it is imperative that the right club is found to help him realise his early potential. Given the other quality defenders already at Villa Park, Aston Villa might not be the best place for him to flourish week-in, week-out.
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