According to the Express & Star, Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce wants to bring Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe back to Villa Park for the 2018-19 campaign.

What's the story?

Tuanzebe joined Villa on loan from United in the latter stages of the January transfer window, but the defender struggled to secure a regular spot in the team.

Indeed, the 20-year-old made just five Championship appearances in the second half of the campaign due to the form of John Terry and James Chester at centre-back.

Terry has already left Villa Park, however, whilst Chester could be sold this summer as Villa look to balance their books.

Chris Samba is also believed to be on the verge of leaving the club, and according to the Express & Star, Bruce wants Tuanzebe back at Villa Park next term.

Tuanzebe is believed to have impressed Villa's coaching staff with his attitude last season, but it remains to be seen whether United boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to send the defender on loan for another campaign.

Would it be a good move?

Tuanzebe's lack of football in the second half of last season says more about the form of Terry and Chester than the United defender's own problems.

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The simple fact of the matter is that Villa will not have big money to spend on new signings this summer, and securing a player of Tuanzebe's quality on loan would be an excellent piece of business for a club struggling financially.

United boss Mourinho might well want assurances that the Englishman is going to be a regular starter before sanctioning another loan move, but as mentioned above, Terry has already left the club, and Chester and Samba could soon follow.

There are still doubts surrounding Bruce's position at the club, but the former centre-back is preparing for the new season.

Tuanzebe needs a whole season of first-team football to show whether he can be a future Premier League centre-back for United, and Villa could provide that platform.