Episode 3 of Premier League youngsters on the radar: Axel Tuanzebe
By Varun Aithal
With clubs wanting their squad players to play a big part in this congested fixture list, Axel Tuanzebe can be a great asset for Manchester United.
Manchester United is that one Premier League club that has a record of fielding an academy graduate every game. Since 1937, the club has fielded at least one academy graduate in every top-flight fixture.
On December 13, 2019, the club completed another milestone by playing a graduate for the 4000th consecutive match. From the list of players coming from AON Training Complex, Axel Tuanzebe is one of the most promising defenders for the Red Devils.
The player was handed a debut early in the 2016/17 season when he was 18 but couldn’t get much game time back then. However, as the years progressed the player was sent out on loan to get more game time. His breakthrough season came when he was out on loan at Aston Villa.
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In his second loan spell at Villa Park, the player featured in 27 games and clocked 2272 minutes for the club. The player also guided the Villains to promotion in the same season after the club beat Derby County in the playoff finals. After a successful season, the defender was integrated into Manchester United’s first-team ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
Before being ruled out for close to a year because of injuries, Axel Tuanzebe played five games for United in the previous season. In the pandemic struck campaign, the player featured 10 times (seven starts).
During his seven starts, he marshaled the troops in a Carabao Cup fixture against Rochdale. The player said after the game it was a “special moment to lead the team”.
Though injuries halted the defender’s progress, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has kept his faith in the 22-year-old. In a press conference, the manager reiterated that Axel is the future of the club. Former Man United treble winner Wes Brown praised the defender for his character and performance.
He said:
"Axel is a brilliant player and, when he gets there, has to play well and give the manager a problem (Via: Goal)"
Axel Tuanzebe is a versatile defender and has the ability to play anywhere across the backline. He has played as a central defender, left-back, and right-back for the Old Trafford side.
Tuanzebe’s best performance came against Paris St Germain in Paris where he controlled Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in their Champions League meeting. With a long season ahead for United, Axel Tuanzebe is expected to be a pivotal player for Solskjaer.
How do you keep Mbappe and Neymar quiet?
— GOAL (@goal) October 26, 2020
Ask Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe 😏pic.twitter.com/CkpeWYocVQ
Axel Tuanzebe stats this season: (Across all competitions)
Games played – 5
Minutes played –214
Goals scored -0
Aerial Duels Won-2
Pass Accuracy – 95.8%
Tackles -4
Interceptions -1
Blocks -2
Clean sheets – 1
Wins -4
Loses -1
Draws -0
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The young central defender has shown he has what it takes to be in the Premier League. With the manager having loads of trust in him, it would be no surprise if Tuanzebe starts crucial games for Manchester United in the near future.