Axel Tuanzebe finds new club after leaving Manchester United permanently

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Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe with manager Jose Mourinho.

Axel Tuanzebe made his competitive Manchester United debut under Jose Mourinho in 2017 Reuters / Phil Noble.

Axel Tuanzebe’s career at Manchester United started under former Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho, who handed him an appearance against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup in January 2017.

Now the product of the club’s famed academy has joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer. He reunites with another former United coach, Kieran McKenna, at Portman Road. McKenna was one of Mourinho’s assistants and departed the club after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

Tuanzebe will also get to link up with his United teammate Brandon Williams, who’s on a season-long loan with the Tractor Boys. Perhaps playing under and with familiar figures could help the Englishman regain his confidence and rejuvenate his seemingly stagnated career.

Axel Tuanzebe leaves after failing to cement his place at Manchester United

Now 25, Tuanzebe, was once very highly rated in England and even enjoyed a great spell in the Championship with Aston Villa early on in his career. His stand-out performance for United came on a Champions League night against Kylian Mbappe-led Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.

However, frequent injury issues never let him enjoy a consistent run of games for the club. Accordingly when his contract ran out this summer, United decided it’s best to release him.

The summer transfer window saw one academy graduate depart, but it also saw the return of another academy centre-back Jonny Evans. The Northern Irish, 35, has been awarded a short-term deal, having impressed the club’s coaches during pre-season.

Apart from Tuanzebe, United also allowed Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Di’Shon Bernard, and Teden Mengi to depart. This ruthlessness in the transfer market with regard to outgoings left Ten Hag with very limited number of centre-backs and opened doors for Evans to return.