PUBLISHED: 03:45 EDT, 9 July 2020 | UPDATED: 03:50 EDT, 9 July 2020
Manchester United think young centre back Axel Tuanzebe could soon reach the same level as legendary centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, according to reports.
The Red Devils are said to be in the market for a new centre-back, with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer. Captain Harry Maguire is currently being partnered with Victor Lindelof, but it has been reported the club are still seeking a big name signing.
But the defender they are looking for could be sitting on their doorstep with the Athletic claiming that several figures at United have high hopes for the 22-year-old and believe he could be ‘absolutely top class’.
The England Under-21 star is currently injured with a hamstring injury but impressed out on two loans at Aston Villa in the 17-18 and 18-19 campaigns – both spells being blighted by fitness woes.
He played a total of 35 games for the Villans and many felt he could push on for a first team spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
In this season he has managed ten appearances in all competitions, including two starts in the Premier League and three in the Europa League.
Tuanzebe is now attempting to nurse himself back to full fitness for next season, but an opportunity could open for him if the clubs ends up selling the likes of Marcos Rojo – who is currently out on loan at Estudiantes – or Phil Jones.
There has been plenty of maturity in his displays during his early career and the club feel he has the potential to become as good as Ferdinand and Vidic, who forged a colossal partnership under Sir Alex Ferguson and won five league titles together.
He has been at Old Trafford since he was eight years old and has quickly become an influential member of the youth team, with the club’s website describing him as ‘a natural leader’. He captained the under-18 side as a first year scholar – the first to do so since Gary Neville.
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