Maguire interest shouldn't block Man Utd path for Axel Tuanzebe

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The news that United had stepped up the pursuit of a central defender was enough to make the pulse quicken. This is the one area of the squad that has looked most in need of significant additions of quality in recent seasons.

While United have fallen well below the standards of the Sir Alex Ferguson era over the last six years, nowhere has that been more obvious than in defence. While Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have departed, their replacements have not been up to scratch, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling still relied on, four managers on from Ferguson.


The £70million bid for Harry Maguire is a belated attempt to solve that, but United shouldn't use that signing to deny opportunities to another player who might be able to also help solve the issues at the back.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can complete the signing of Maguire then he will be the perfect partner for Victor Lindelof, strengthening United's leaky rearguard. They look a very promising and stable partnership.


But in Axel Tuanzebe United have a young centre back who could yet prove to be the match of those two. At 21 he has returned to Carrington this week keen to impress in pre-season and force his way into the first team plans.


Tuanzebe was a key man for Aston Villa last season as they won promotion back to the Premier League. The United academy graduate looked like one of the Championship's best defenders. His time has come to earn a chance in the top flight, if not with United then with a loan move elsewhere.


Given what lies in front of him at Old Trafford, there is an argument that Tuanzebe deserves to be a major part of the first team squad this summer, even if Maguire signs. Any deal for the 26-year-old shouldn't block his developmental path.


If United do land Maguire this summer, they will have seven central defenders on the first team books, including Tuanzebe. While Marcos Rojo should be on his way out of the club sooner rather than later, even carrying six players in that position looks too many, restricting opportunities for Tuanzebe.


A loan move might be tempting for United if Premier League sides show interest, but the longer Tuanzebe spends under Solskjaer in pre-season, the more likely he is to impress and fight his way up the pecking order.

Instead United could consider selling another senior central defender and clearing Tuanzebe's path to more first team involvement. Eric Bailly has been linked with Lyon this summer, having failed to establish himself as a regular in three seasons after a £30million move from Villarreal but the MEN understands the player is keen to stay at Old Trafford.


Bailly might well be considered first reserve behind Maguire and Lindelof. That would leave Jones and Smalling fighting it out for spots on the substitutes bench and cup appearances.


Both Smalling, 29, and Jones, 27, have been loyal, unflinching servants to United, without ever possessing the quality to suggest they will be a regular part of the side. But it would be a shame if either were to block the development of Tuanzebe, a player United have high hopes for, who could well surpass Smalling and Jones with more first team exposure.

If United can sign Maguire and give Tuanzebe more first team exposure, then it could solve their defensive issues for the long-term.