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Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has received the praise of his manager Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town for his performances so far in the league.
Tuanzebe is a graduate from the United academy and played 37 times for the senior team.
He showed some immense potential at times as he captained the senior side against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup in 2019 and “shut down” Kylian Mbappe in United’s win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in 2020.
His career at United was severely hampered by injuries however, as only in the 2020-2021 season was he able to make more than 10 appearances in a season.
After some unsuccessful loan spells at SSC Napoli and Stoke City, he eventually joined his former coach at United, Mckenna at Ipswich Town in 2023.
The 26 year old has made a fine start to life back in the Premier League, starting in all four of Ipswich’s games so far at right back.
He mightily impressed at the weekend in the Tractor Boys’ credible 0-0 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion, making seven clearances and winning 80% of his ground duels.
Speaking to the press (via TWTD) on Tuanzebe’s progress this season his manager McKenna claimed that he was “really happy for him as well with the journey that he’s been on. This time last year, he was out of contract, had played very little football in probably a couple of seasons and there were question marks around his ability to get back to playing as many games as he had.”
“But he’s got stronger and stronger as the time’s gone on. He finished last season really, really well and he’s stepped into it this season and he’s showing his qualities.”
The Ipswich boss then commented on how difficult Tuanzebe’s job is as a full back due to the immense quality and variety of wingers that compete in the Premier League such as Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma last weekend.
Commenting further on his performance he stated, “I think he enjoyed the battle and he did a really good job in that duel and was well supported by his teammates.”
“Another good step for him and with him and Ben we’re really, really strong in that position.”
Tuanzebe will get the chance to play against his old side when United travel to Portman Road on the 24th of November and he will return to Old Trafford in February with the newly promoted side.
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