Man Utd receive enquiry from Stoke over defender; starlet’s preference is to fight for place

toke City have made an inquiry about Axel Tuanzebe days before the summer transfer window closes.

The Mail also claim that the Championship club has made a separate inquiry about Ciaran Clark at Newcastle.

But apparently Tuanzebe doesn’t plan on going back out on loan, after playing a key role in Aston Villa’s successful attempt at Premier League promotion last season, and is keen to fight for a first-team place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite the arrival of £80m Harry Maguire earlier this week.

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The report adds: “Tuanzebe wants to stay at United until January at least to see if he can work his way into Solskjaer’s first team.

“United also do not see much sense in allowing Tuanzebe to go back to a Championship club should he be allowed out on loan. They want him to continue improving and see if he can step up to the challenge of playing in the Premier League.”

Stoke need to sign a centre-back after losing skipper and ex-United player Ryan Shawcross for 4 months after suffering a leg break in pre-season.

And, according to StokeonTrentLive, Bruno Martins Indi could be on the departures list this summer.

It would be a silly decision to let Tuanzebe go out on loan because he should be in with a shout of getting minutes in the first-team this season.

United signed Maguire because they needed to – Tuanzebe should look at ways he can improve his game the same way the former Leicester and Hull defender has down the years, so the latest arrival at Old Trafford is expected to have a positive impact on those around him, with his apparent leadership qualities often complemented.

Tuanzebe impressed on this summer’s pre-season tour and definitely looks like one of our best options at the back coming into this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must decide if now is the time to give Tuanzebe first-team experience at United.

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