Axel Tuanzebe is undergoing a personal training programme back at Carrington as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury while Erik ten Hag hosts a training camp in Spain this week.
The defender was not named in the squad that has travelled for the warm-weather getaway, which has been organised to top up the fitness of the remaining Manchester United players who have not travelled to the World Cup.
United will play two friendlies during the trip; against La Liga strugglers Cadiz on Wednesday and versus Real Betis on Saturday. Among those to fly to Spain is Brandon Williams, who has just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and outcast Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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Jadon Sancho is the big-name omission, the winger working through an individual training plan away from the main group as he tries to rediscover his form. He was spotted going through a specialised session in the Netherlands last month.
Tuanzebe’s omission from the squad was expected, with Ten Hag revealing in October that he wasn’t due to return before Christmas due to his back injury. The Manchester Evening News revealed last week that the Englishman has been using a zero-gravity running machine in his recovery.
The 25-year-old will be continuing the road back to fitness this week by going through a personalised programme in Manchester while his teammates are in Spain, the club has confirmed. Centre-back Tuanzebe hasn’t played for United since the 2021 Europa League final.
He was left disappointed with loan spells at Aston Villa and Napoli last season, clocking up just 13 appearances in all. Meanwhile, fellow academy graduate Teden Mengi outlined his plans to seek a loan move in January, following his return from a recurring hamstring issue.
It caused his loan spell at Birmingham last season to be curtailed after a promising start with the Blues. He’s since returned for the Under-21s in October, and has played twice in the EFL Trophy.
Speaking last month, the central defender said : “Every game, I'm feeling fitter, stronger, sharper. So yeah, I think I'm standing myself in good stead for January, if the option comes up for me to get an opportunity to go out on loan and impress and get some more experience, then I'll take it."
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