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Forgotten Man Utd star spotted in training, he's not played for more than a year

Forgotten Man Utd star spotted in training, he's not played for more than a year

A forgotten Man Utd defender has been pictured in first team training, having not played a senior game for over a year.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Manchester United have been handed another availability boost with news that defender Axel Tuanzebe has returned to full training.

Erik ten Hag has not been able to call upon the 25-year-old all season due to injury, and the England youth international has not played a senior game in over a year.

He spent the second half of last season at Serie A side Napoli, and made two appearances - the latter of which was on January 13, 2022 - before being consigned to the bench for the remainder of the campaign.

Upon his return to United, he suffered a back injury in July, which he has been recovering from.

Tuanzebe's last appearance for the club was in the 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal, where he scored a penalty in the ultimately unsuccessful shootout for United.

However, he is now back in training with the Red Devils, and could soon be in contention to make a long-awaited appearance for the senior team.

Tuanzebe back in training

Tuanzebe was pictured in United's latest training photos, with Ten Hag's side looking to bounce back from Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.

The Manchester Evening News report that the defender is expected to remain at Old Trafford for at least the rest of the season to provide cover, as he able to play in central defence, at right-back and in defensive midfield if required.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is nearing a return to full fitness as he was once again seen in full training after not featuring for United since before the World Cup.

However, he will not be available for United's Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening - along with two other Red Devils stars.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag confirmed that he would not be available to take part in the match.

The Dutchman will also be without Donny van de Beek, who is out for the season following a knee injury, although Casemiro is back in contention after serving his one-match Premier League suspension for the game against Arsenal.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Carabao Cup, Erik Ten Hag

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.