The month of January 2022 was always going to be exciting for Manchester United and their fans.
With Ralf Rangnick being chosen as captain, it was expected that changes will be made as the German seeks to return the Red Devils to winning ways and, perhaps, to re-create former triumphs.
With a whole month to acquire and sell players, it will be intriguing to watch if players decide to go now or elect to move on a free transfer in the summer, depriving United the chance to get paid for their services.
They might also be players that the club considers surplus to needs in any case, and while they’ll no doubt be pleased to collect their salaries from the club, it’s likely that they’ll be moved on to make room in the team.
Done deal and confirmed. Napoli have reached a verbal agreement with Man United for Axel Tuanzebe: loan until June, €500k loan fee. Here we go soon! ?? #Napoli
Tuanzebe leaves #AVFC. The agreement will not include any buy option, as @DiMarzio reports – it’s simple loan. https://t.co/yhhea9YzYP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2022
Although he hasn’t featured for the first team in a while, Axel Tuanzebe is still a valuable component of the squad.
The midfielder, who was loaned to Aston Villa, will spend the second half of the season with Serie A heavyweights Napoli.
On New Year’s Day, respected football writer Fabrizio Romano tweeted that a £500,000 loan fee had been agreed upon and that the trade was finalised.
Romano further claimed that fellow writer Gianluca di Marzio pointed out that there is no buy option in the loan, which runs until June, implying that United want to bring him back in the summer.
He will still be only 24 years old by then, and if United continue to struggle defensively, he may be the answer to Ralf Rangnick’s prayers.