Report: Bruce’s Manchester United connections key as Aston Villa near Axel Tuanzebe loan

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Championship giants Aston Villa could seal the signing of Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United before the weekend, with Steve Bruce key.

Aston Villa’s pursuit of Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has probably gone on longer than Steve Bruce would have wanted.

It is almost two weeks since reports broke that the Midland giants were closing in on a deal to sign the 20-year-old centre-back, and it is only now that a deal appears to be on the verge of completion.

The Mail stated on Wednesday that Villa are hopeful of adding Tuanzebe to their roster before the weekend and look set to beat off competition from a number of Championship rivals to do just that.

And the Birmingham Mail adds that the presence of Steve Bruce in the Villa Park dugout is key. It is understood that the former Manchester United captain has a very good relationship with Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho, and the Portuguese has given Tuanzebe his blessing to spend the rest of the season at Villa Park as a result.

It is no secret that Mourinho rates the England Under-21 international very highly. He said after a pre-season game against Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2016 that it takes only a matter of minutes to realise just how good Tuanzebe is, as reported by Sky Sports.

And Mourinho obviously trusts Bruce to aid the defender’s development as Villa aim to secure a return to the Premier League this season.

Tuanzebe will compete with John Terry and James Chester for a place at centre-half, but his versatility means he could also fill in at right-back if required.