Bailly back on track means Axel’s a Villan
UNITED decided to let Axel Tuanzebe join Aston Villa on loan due to Eric Bailly’s encouraging recovery from an ankle injury.
Bailly suffered an ankle injury on international duty and was forced to undergo surgery last month – with manager Jose Mourinho claiming it could keep him sidelined for up to three months.
However, M.E.N. Sport understands Bailly is making ‘good progress’ and could return in February.
The 23-year-old was filmed jogging on a treadmill in water by team-mate Ander Herrera earlier this month before Antonio Valencia uploaded clips of the Ivory Coast international running and dancing at United’s Carrington training complex on Thursday.
Mourinho admitted Bailly’s injury would delay United’s decision on whether to allow Tuanzebe to join Steve Bruce’s side for the remainder of the campaign.
“Tuanzebe’s a very good player that is not having lots of possibilities to play here,” Mourinho said two weeks ago.
“But he’s our player and will be our player, no chance we give up on such a talented boy.
“But it is something we are thinking about, a loan until the end of the season.
“We are a bit afraid of injuries, a bit afraid of needing him, we have Eric Bailly injured, we are not free of other injuries, so we are delaying the decision and we are going to delay until the end of the transfer window.
“If we have a decision at the end of the month and feel Eric Bailly is close to being back, then probably it will be good for Axel to go on loan and be back next season, because he’s a player we like very much.”
Tuanzebe, 20, was restricted to only one start and two cameo appearances prior to his move to Villa. “Everyone is pushing for promotion,” Tuanzebe said at his Villa unveiling. “That’s the big aim, you can feel that here. I am determined to help this club achieve its goal. “It’s not always about going to the biggest club when you’re going out on loan, it’s about getting the best move. “Whether it’s right for you as a player if you can trust the players around you, develop yourself, get some minutes and going back to United a bigger, stronger player.” United currently have Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Marcos Rojo available to play at centre-half. Daley Blind has also played a chunk of his United career there but suffered an injury which ruled him out of last week’s win over Burnley. Blind is out of contract in the summer and United have still not taken up their option of an additional year.