Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is set for a playing return this weekend.

The Manchester Evening News says it is understood the defender's preference is to get playing time at U23 level before Tuanzebe returns for the first-team but United staff are set to decide on his involvement after the international players report for training this week.

The United first-team and U23 squads have trained in separate bubbles at Carrington in line with COVID-19 protocols which could prevent Tuanzebe, 22, from playing for the second string. Tuanzebe started for the U23s at Stoke in March after recovering from injury.

The United U23s kick-off at 2pm at Arsenal on Saturday - six hours before United take on Newcastle at St James' Park. Tuanzebe sustained a foot injury in training in June that required an operation but he has fully recovered and not suffered any setbacks.