TUANZEBE: I’M NOW READY TO PLAY FOR UNITED
▶ Solskjaer calls young defender ‘the future of this club’ after impressive showing against Inter
It was teenager Mason Greenwood who took the immediate headlines yesterday for Manchester United.
The 17-year-old, on as a substitute, gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in their International Champions Cup clash in Singapore with a strike 14 minutes from time.
But it was another talented youth prospect, Axel Tuanzebe, who became the focus of the post-match talk as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emphasised just how highly he regards the defender.
“He’s showed he is very capable at this level,” the United manager said. “Axel is going to be the future of this club.”
The 21-year-old, who has captained United at every age level except the first team, equally believes he is ready to be given his opportunity in the backline when the Premier League campaign begins on August 11 against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
“I’m ready to play for Manchester United – definitely,” he said following the game with Inter.
Tuanzebe, who spent the past two years on loan with Aston Villa in the Championship, said: “My season last year showed that I am a much better player than a year ago.
“Having a good coach to support me as a player and a person helped. I’m more mature, my decision-making is better, my physicality, building myself in the game and being a senior player.”
Tuanzebe, who arrived in Greater Manchester from DR Congo at the age of four, is a fast central defender who can play as a right back too.
But there are six central defenders at Old Trafford and Solskjaer wants a seventh.
Harry Maguire wants to join United and they want to sign him from Leicester City, but not for a fee which will make him the most expensive defender in history.
Solskjaer is also aware that players need to be sold to make that deal happen.
United require a settled defence after too many changes and too many goals conceded last term, yet the Norwegian also believes in promoting home-grown players, though Tuanzebe is hardly a callow youth.
“The manager puts faith in young players and I’m ready to play that. I got another 60 under my belt and I’m going to keep going,” Tuanzebe said.
He performed well against Inter, wearing No 38 and playing to the right of Victor Lindelof in central defence and to the left of new signing Aaron Wan Bissaka, who continues to look at home in the backline since arriving from Crystal Palace.
Tuanzebe marked Samuele Longo in the clash at the National Stadium in Kallang.
He intercepted and reacted well under pressure and to the humid conditions.
He supported attacks and faults were few and far between before he, like the rest of the starting line-up, were substituted for fresh legs on the hour mark.
The 52,897 crowd – of which 95 per cent wore red – were encouraged by United’s performance as their fluid 4-2-3-1 system pressed high.
United are coming off last season on a low, with fans frustrated by a disappointing end of season and only two signings so far. A cloud of scepticism envelopes fans and that will only change with wins in competitive matches, but the players look fitter than a year ago and the mood in the camp is happier and the pre-season games more entertaining.
It is a fragile confidence which will be dented if United begin the season badly, the fate which befell Jose Mourinho this time last year.
There are still three more friendlies to come, starting with a match with fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday in Shanghai.
United are three out of three so far in pre-season. Yester
My season last year shows I am a much better player than a year ago. I’m more mature, my decision-making is better AXEL TUANZEBE Manchester United
day’s success coming after wins in Australia over Perth Glory and Leeds United.
Solskjaer is encouraged by what he has seen.
Romelu Lukaku was an unused substitute yesterday, with reports the club had turned down a bid by Inter to sign him, and his manager made it clear when it comes to his offensive line it is Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard who he has his mind on.
“High energy, pressing, intensity,” Solskjaer said of yesterday’s display. “I’m very pleased, we have players to press on the front foot: Jesse, Marcus, Anthony. We’re looking strong as a defensive unit.”