Axel Tuanzebe has already made up his mind about his long-term Manchester United future beyond his loan spell with Aston Villa, according to a report.
Tuanzebe came through the United youth ranks, but his best chances of first-team football have come across three separate loans with Villa. After joining them for a portion of the 2017-18 season, he helped them win promotion from the Championship the year after. And this summer he returned to Villa Park on temporary terms.
The defender has shown some promise for United, but knew he was unlikely to get regular gametime at Old Trafford. After the summer signing of Raphael Varane, the situation only became tougher for him. Therefore, he opted to continue his career back in the West Midlands.
A report from The Sun claims Tuanzebe already has his own ideas of where he will be playing beyond 2022. Despite only being back at Villa one month so far, he is reportedly eyeing a longer stay.
According to the newspaper, Tuanzebe is appreciative of the reception he has received since his return to Villa, where he has played four times already this season. Thanks also to that gametime, should it continue, he would welcome a permanent transfer.
Of course, the DR Congo-born former England youth international is not guaranteed to start week in, week out. Villa’s original idea when bringing him back was for him to keep Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa on their toes as a reliable backup.
But he has quickly proven his worth again and will be keen to keep his own starting shirt.
Should all go to plan, he may be hoping to wear the claret and blue colours for years to come.
Nearly five years after his United debut, perhaps the time has come for him to settle down elsewhere. In that case, Villa would make the most sense should he continue to enjoy his current spell there.