---
title: "Mourinho hints at Tuanzebe role change"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2017/05/07/mourinho-hints-at-tuanzebe-role-change/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Match Reports"
published: "2017-05-07T18:22:34Z"
modified: "2017-05-07T18:22:34Z"
---

# Mourinho hints at Tuanzebe role change

Axel Tuanzebe is set to be converted into a right-back under José Mourinho at Manchester United, after impressing against Arsenal on his full debut for the club.

The 19-year-old was paired up against Alexis Sanchez at right-back for his first career start, but was arguably United’s best performer during the 2-0 defeat, keeping the Chilean under wraps and impressing with his pace and strength.

Tuanzebe, an England under-20 international, has mostly played at centre-back all the way through the United youth ranks, winning the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2014/15 and being nominated for the Reserves Player of the Year this season.

![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2017/05/679983390.jpg)

The Congolese-born defender had made his United debut earlier this season against Wigan in the FA Cup, being deployed at right-back for a brief cameo, and Mourinho has hinted that he will be playing him there for the foreseeable future.

Speaking in the post-match press conference (via the [Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-news-axel-tuanzebe-12999963)), the United boss said:

> *The kid was brilliant. I think first of all he’s a good player, which is important, it doesn’t matter the position he plays. I think globally he’s a good player and he starts by being a good player, by being a good kid, a good professional, a good learner, a humble boy. So first of all he’s a player and that’s the most important thing.*
>
> *Every minute that he spends training with us is fantastic for him and every minute he plays in the Premier League is a bless. So at this moment I don’t think the position matters.*
>
> *What matters is to get on the pitch, to get the experience, to play against Alexis Sanchez, to play against Ozil, to play against Welbeck, to play against big players.*
>
> *His best position by routine, by dynamic, which he brought playing with kids of his age, is central defender. I think playing with the big boys especially in this period of his career, I think right-back.*