Manchester United's head of academy Nicky Butt believes Axel Tuanzebe has a big future at the club after impressing on loan at Aston Villa.
The versatile 21-year-old had a taste of first team football at United under Jose Mourinho, but has been a solid performer this season in helping Villa reach the Championship play-offs.
Many supporters are now eager to see him in the Reds first team this season and Butt told the official United website how much the stint at Villa Park has helped Tuanzebe.
"Axel is a very talented boy, who I do believe is going to have a good career at Manchester United,” Butt said.
“There is no point sitting around not playing football and he’s gone to Aston Villa, who are a big, big club.
“He got injured but is back playing well again now and now he has a few big play-off games coming up.”
United's academy player performance manager Les Parry has kept tabs on Tuanzebe and added to Butt's encouraging words about the player.
He praised Tuanzebe's ability to bounce back from a foot injury to be ready for the business end of Villa's season, with an all-Midlands clash against West Brom set for its first leg on Saturday.
Manchester United might have already made two key signings
“He was doing ever so well when he got injured,” said Parry. “In fact, he was one of Villa's better players. Fortunately, it was a great time for him to come back as it was during the international break.
”It gave him time to settle back in at Villa Park before the first game so he could get up to speed again. Of course, we want all our lads to have that sort of experience, going to Wembley, as that is the sort of experience you need as you have got to get used to playing in big games.
“So the more big games the lads can play in, when they're out on loan, the better.”
Manchester United academy chief Nicky Butt sends Tahith Chong first team message
