Luke Shaw expects bright future for Axel Tuanzebe
As quoted by Sky Sports, Luke Shaw believes that Axel Tuanzebe has a bright future ahead of him and has the potential to break into the first-team at Manchester United.
The senior Manchester United left-back spoke about the ‘frightening’ potential of Tuanzebe, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford to gain more experience and help his first-team development.
The 20-year-old has trained with Shaw as part of Mourinho’s squad at the Carrington training complex, which is a decision that has allowed the youngster to be checked out by the England national side.
Shaw has been highly impressed by Tuanzebe’s desire, application and willingness to learn as he touted him as a future star in the making.
I think Axel is unbelievable. I think the talent he’s got is frightening. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s energetic, he reads the game well, he’s a good passer of the ball, and he’s got everything.
For me, his main position is probably central defender. I think if he nails down one place, it will be central defender. But like I said, he’s got everything and he’s still very young.
I look back to the game against Swansea away [in the Carabao Cup] when he came in from the cold and there would have been a few people surprised at him starting the game.
But he didn’t let anyone down. I was sat on the bench and I was happy and proud for him, and also Scott [McTominay] in the same game. Both of them were terrific, especially Axel because I think Scotty had played a game before that.
It was Axel’s first proper game [this season] and against a good team as well. For me, he was man of the match and I think people then took to him, the fans, and they knew what a special talent we had.
We’ve not seen him that much but, hopefully, we and the fans get to see him more because I see him in training and he’s improving every day, building his confidence up even more. He’s always ready for his chance when called upon.
Tuanzebe has featured three times for Manchester United this season, starting once in the Premier League. Tuanzebe made his senior debut on 27 January last year and has been tipped by fans and United staff members as someone who is going to hit the big time in the near future.
He also made his first senior start in a 2-0 win against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup, taking his tally to eight appearances for the Red Devils.