Axel Tuanzebe stars for Manchester United in Paris: ‘Good luck getting this guy out of the team!’
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Axel Tuanzebe enjoyed a stunning return to Manchester United’s first team after 10 months out as the centre-back helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side seal another famous Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Tuanzebe, 22, has not played for United’s senior side for almost a year due to a run of frustrating injuries, but was a starter against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in Paris on Tuesday night.
The young defender slotted in well alongside Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof in a three-man back line, and United went on to win 2-1 on the night thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford either side of an Anthony Martial own goal.
David de Gea also impressed in goal with a string of fine saves, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles – the latter making his United debut – were also key to the win.
Speaking after the game, Solskjaer said of his defence and Tuanzebe: “When you go away to a team like this against Neymar and Mbappe you have to defend well and your keeper will have to make saves.
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“Axel Tuanzebe is a top defender and his first game in 10 months was testament to the quality he has.”
Three former United players – Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves – who were all working as pundits for BT Sport for the game – were similarly impressed.
Hargreaves said: “Good luck getting this guy out of the team… I love him! He wasn’t fazed by Mbappe or the occasion… this young man is not getting out of the side.”
Ferdinand agreed, saying: “He was smelling danger… he snuffed out danger many a time today, you have to reward performances like that… he deserved to be rewarded.”
Fletcher added: “He didn’t even look like he was panicked or running full pelt; he looked like ‘Oh right, it’s Mbappe’ – he was comfortable and he just dealt with it. Top class.”