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Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho wanted me to join Aston Villa - Axel Tuanzebe
MANCHESTER UNITED defender Axel Tuanzebe has revealed Jose Mourinho was keen for him to join Aston Villa.
Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has joined Aston Villa on loan
Tuanzebe, 20, sealed a switch to the Championship promotion contenders yesterday on a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
The England Under-21 international, who joins team-mate Sam Johnstone in making the temporary switch from Old Trafford to Villa Park, revealed that Mourinho’s relationship with Steve Bruce proved crucial.
“I think he knows that it’s a great club,” Tuanzebe said. “I think he has a good relationship with the manager here, Steve Bruce, so I think it’s not always about going to the biggest club it’s about going to the club that’s right for you as a player.
“You need to trust the people that are working around you and also develop yourself and get minutes, game time, and come back to United a bigger stronger player.”
Aston Villa complete signing of Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe says Jose Mourinho wanted him to join Aston Villa
Tuanzebe, on the fringes of the first team at United, admitted the chance to help Villa secure a return to the Premier League was too good to turn down.
“There were a lot of other offers but I think the challenge of winning promotion here stood out,” he said.
“The manager interested me because he has the background at Manchester United.
“I spoke to him a couple of times. You need support from the manager that can help you on and off the pitch, particularly when you are away from home.”
Aston Villa transfer news tracker: Manchester United duo among Steve Bruce’s targets
Jose Mourinho has a good relationship with Steve Bruce
Versatile Tuanzebe can play at centre-back or in central midfield and he’s hoping to learn from Villa skipper John Terry.
“I’ve watched him many times, he’s a great role model, great captain,” the 20-year-old added. “He’s so calm and composed, he uses his head.
“The next stage for me is developing the mental side of the game and being more clever and outsmarting the opponents.”
Axel Tuanzebe is hoping to learn from John Terry
The move to Villa is the first loan spell of Tuanzebe’s career and he’s looking forward to the “challenge” of competing in the Championship.
“It’s difficult when you’re fighting for promotion, everyone wants to get promoted, and that alone is a big enough challenge,” he added. “I reiterate the point: I want to help Aston Villa come up.”