Axel Tuanzebe's agent has taken a swipe at Manchester United after securing his client a loan switch to Napoli this month.
Tuanzebe, 24, spent the first half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, but after falling out of favour under new manager Steven Gerrard he decided to cut the move short.
The defender left Villa Park and instead sealed another loan at Napoli, where he will be providing cover for Kalidou Koulibaly with the Senegal international away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
But following the move, Tuanzebe's agent has hit out at United over their treatment of young players, claiming there is no 'policy to improve their training' at the club.
'Tuanzebe was chosen, he's not a fallback,' Fabrizio Ferrari told Radio Punto Nuovo, via Area Napoli.
'They were looking for a structured defender but with speed in his legs, and Axel married very well.
'He still has to express himself to the maximum but he's very strong and can be very useful to Napoli.
'I believe that Manchester United has made particular decisions for the growth of their young players, I don't think they have a policy to improve their training.
'They are confusing in the management of players under contract. Tuanzebe has returned to these managerial changes.'
Tuanzebe made a positive start to his loan spell at Villa, featuring seven times in the Premier League under Gerrard's predecessor Dean Smith.
However, after the Liverpool legend replaced Smith he was only afforded eight minutes of action in their next nine matches.
And Tuanzebe's brother Dimitri believes Gerrard's connection to Liverpool was a factor, suggesting he was not prepared to help develop a young player from one of their fiercest rivals.
'Axel didn't decide to move until it became very clear that he isn't the manager's first-choice centre-back and the Napoli offer was very tempting.
'I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to Axel's time at Villa. He is loved by the fans as he contributed highly to the club's success in the Championship where he was one of the key players that helped Villa return to the Premier League.
'However, following the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool came to life.
'For the avoidance of doubts, Axel was very open to staying at Villa, he loves the fans, being in Birmingham but he also has a career that he can only build and reach his full potential in an environment where opportunities to play are fair.'
Jerryjames
0
considering all the teams in EPL, which teams has most academy players in their starting line up or in team itself. we Greenwood,Rashford ,mctominay, Pogba, Elanga and the rest.
Akeem784
0
amad played less than 5 games for Atalanta 😂😂 stop lying
Akeem784
0
funny how Italy is becoming a Hotspot for young English players. the trend setter - Tammy Abraham
😂🤦🏾♂️ Smalling tested the waters for english players first ✌
Unitedforlife6
0
True.....Manchester United is all about favoritism even if certain players are not performing thy still get to play......look at Rashford Greenwood.
dont forget mctominay is also from the academy
Gubevol
1
I agree, Greenwood, Martial, James, etc just a phew who helped Man U come 2nd place in 2 competitions! that's amazing! where are they now ? 1 sold, 1 bench warmer, other fringe player.... don't even get me started on Donny! from an Ajax squad that competed at a very high level in UCL 😳 just a n opinion...
Manchester United is a satanic club for old people
Zamailnruy
1
True.....Manchester United is all about favoritism even if certain players are not performing thy still get to play......look at Rashford Greenwood.
Nisceips
0
After PSG, Ole should have unleashed him in that team. Instead he trusted bloody Maguire/Lindelof partnership. Look how that ended.
vouadekrtu
1
funny how Italy is becoming a Hotspot for young English players. the trend setter - Tammy Abraham
jasondrx77
1
I agree, Greenwood, Martial, James, etc just a phew who helped Man U come 2nd place in 2 competitions! that's amazing! where are they now ? 1 sold, 1 bench warmer, other fringe player.... don't even get me started on Donny! from an Ajax squad that competed at a very high level in UCL 😳 just a n opinion...
Taadikop
2
that's very true, Manchester united have good energetic young players but they just kill there talents, look at Amanta t the boy was very good at antalata, playing every game, look at vadebeek, the boy used to play every game at ajax,tellx used to play every game for Porto look at him at man united,,, the truth is that Manchester united have lost their DNA of developing players instead now they kill,, They are allot of players not happy at the club because they have failed to lotet and keep everyone happy
podadikoyz
3
is true