Liverpool and Manchester United rivalry is well known and documented, and after so many years, it seemed that the water was ‘under the bridge’, especially now, when United is far away from it’s glory days. But, one recent (un)interesting event suddenly became almost a headline, when Axel Tuanzebe moved from Aston Villa to Napoli on a loan until June, because Villa manager snubbed him for being a Manchester United player! At least that’s what player’s brother Dimitri Tuanzebe told ESPN. Done deal: Coutinho on his way to Villa in the hope of resurrectionTuanzebe is Manchester’s player but spent the first part of the season at Villa Park, where he was a regular under Dean Smith. But since Steven Gerrard came in, he played only 8 minutes in 9 matches in the Premier League. The defender left Villa Park and sealed another loan at Napoli, where he will be providing cover for Kalidou Koulibaly with the Senegal international away at the Africa Cup of Nations.“Axel didn’t decide to move until it became very clear that he isn’t the manager’s first-choice centre-back and the Napoli offer was very tempting. Following the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool came to life. For the avoidance of doubts, Axel was very open to staying at Villa, he loves the fans, being in Birmingham but he also has a career that he can only build and reach his full potential in an environment where opportunities to play are fair” said his brother.🚨 OFFICIAL: Axel Tuanzebe has joined Serie A side Napoli on loan until the end of the 2021/22 seasonWishing him the best of luck ❤#mufc #Tuanzebe #mulive pic.twitter.com/UuJfNzIO3Q— moremufc (@moremufc) January 9, 2022 And players agent Fabrizio Ferrari told Radio Punto Nuovo, that the situation with Manchester United, with whom Tuanzebe has a contract until 2023 is also unclear, mainly due to United’s confusing policy. “I believe that Manchester United has made particular decisions for the growth of their young players, I don’t think they have a policy to improve their training. They are confusing in the management of players under contract. Tuanzebe has returned to these managerial changes” said Ferrari.
