Axel Tuanzebe has hinted he is ready to return to action for Manchester United and it is long overdue.
Tuanzebe suffered a hip injury in the warm-up against Liverpool just under a month ago.
That caused him to miss the following seven games, with United deciding not to risk anything by rushing the centre-back’s recovery.
Premierinjuries.com has Tuanzebe projected to be available against Sheffield United.
On Sunday he posted a message on Instagram which suggests he is ready to restart his season.
Tuanzebe has been out in Dubai with several of his United teammates during the international break.
He celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday, which explains his reference to ‘Chapter 22’ in his message.
Tuanzebe says he is ‘recharged’ suggesting he is fully fit and ready to get back to action.
Will he come straight back in?
Tuanzebe may have to wait for the second game after the break for his first start, when United take on Astana.
This seems like an ideal opportunity for the centre-back to prove his fitness and match sharpness.
However he knows opponents Sheffield United, having played against them in the Championship last season.
It is unlikely he will be selected ahead of both Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelöf alongside Harry Maguire, but there is a chance if United decide to go with a three-man central defence at Bramall Lane.
With Eric Bailly making progress with his recovery from a knee injury, Tuanzebe has plenty of incentive to hit the ground running and start climbing up the pecking order.
It will be great to see both of them back in action.
Not the only one
Teammate Diogo Dalot is also working hard to return from injury.
He posted an update from a gym showing that he too is pushing to make his comeback.
Potentially the Portuguese youngster could return in time to feature against Astana at the end of the month.
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