Axel Tuanzebe Shirt number 38
Not playingAxel Tuanzebe Quote
I’ll stay humble and keep working hard for opportunities to play.
- Age25
- Appearances
Updating
38
Biography
A robust central defender, Axel Tuanzebe is a natural leader and captained the Under-18 team as a first-year scholar.
Born in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has been nurtured by the club's Academy since the age of eight after growing up in Rochdale. The 2015 winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award was pushed into the Under-21s ahead of schedule after making three substitute appearances at that level in 2014/15. He quickly nailed down a regular place in the older age group and even made the substitutes' bench for the first team's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on 31 October at the tender age of 17. Unfortunately, injury halted his progress but he returned in time to help seal the Under-21 title. Axel trained with the first-team squad ahead of the pre-season friendly against Wigan Athletic in July 2016, with former manager Jose Mourinho keen to observe the promising centre-back. Tuanzebe captained the Reserves to good effect, showing his leadership qualities again, and his outstanding form in 2016/17 culminated in him being named the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year. He earned a place in the travelling squad for the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Hull City, before making his competitive first-team bow in the Emirates FA Cup victory over Wigan in January 2017. A few months later Tuanzebe was handed his maiden senior start in May’s Premier League trip to Arsenal, in which he played 90 minutes. So impressive was the youngster, he started the next three league games that season. The talented defender signed a new contract to run until 2020, with the option of a further year, and soon after played his first game in the Champions League, during our 2-1 win against CSKA Moscow in December 2017. He spent the second half of the season on loan at then Championship side Aston Villa, but made few appearances due to injury. After returning to United - and playing 320 minutes of pre-season football for the Reds - Tuanzebe again rejoined Villa on 6 August 2018, this time on a season-long loan. He excelled in his second spell in the West Midlands and started almost every match when available for selection. His impressive campaign culminated with a trip to Wembley, and Axel played the full 90 minutes as Villa beat Derby County 2-1 to secure promotion back to the Premier League. On 5 July 2019, the club announced that Axel had penned a new contract, which will keep him at United until June 2022, with the option to extend for a further year. After an impressive pre-season, he was named on the bench for the Premier League opener against Chelsea at Old Trafford. He captained United for the first time during the Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale on 25 September, becoming one of the club's youngest-ever skippers in the process. Axel signed a new contract with the club on 8 August 2021, before joining Aston Villa on loan for a third time. Tuanzebe spent the first half of 2021/22 at Villa, making nine Premier League appearances and featuring in the Carabao Cup twice. In January 2022, Axel was recalled from his loan with the Birmingham-based club, and he was soon on the move again. On 8 January 2022, it was confirmed that Tuanzebe would spend the remainder of the season on loan at Serie A side Napoli.
- Position
Defender
- Country
England
- Date of birth
14 Nov 1997
- Joined
1 Jul 2013
- United debut
29 Jan 2017
v Wigan (H)
I’ll stay humble and keep working hard for opportunities to play.
LatestView More
Europa League squad confirmed
ArticleMarcel Sabitzer is one of three additions to the group for the next stage of the competition.
- 2dpublished time 2 day agoNews
Tuanzebe joins Championship club on loan
ArticleFit-again Axel has agreed a temporary move on transfer deadline day in an effort to find playing time.
- 1wpublished time 1 week agoNews
United's absentees are 'progressing'
ArticleErik ten Hag has some positive words about four players who will miss tonight's semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
- 2wpublished time 2 week agoNews
Tuanzebe on road to recovery
ArticleCentre-back Axel is working hard at Carrington as he looks to regain full fitness.
- Dec '22published time Dec 22News
What Black History Month means to Axel
VideoAs Black History Month draws to a close, Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has something important to say…
- Oct '22published time Oct 22Video
Axel: Education is so important
ArticleThe United defender opens up on his experiences of racism and inclusion, in his interview for Black History Month.
- Oct '22published time Oct 22Interviews
Thursday’s United Daily
VideoUnited Daily | Hear from Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe and Vilde Boe Risa in today’s episode…
- Oct '22published time Oct 22Video
Erik's update on our homegrown defenders
ArticleTen Hag was asked about the situation with Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams, ahead of Spurs' visit.
- Oct '22published time Oct 22News
Ten Hag's team news for Manchester derby
ArticleThe boss provides details about his options for the big game at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
- Sep '22published time Sep 22News
Ten Hag gives transfer update on trio
ArticleErik has provided more detail on the short-term futures of Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams.
- Aug '22published time Aug 22Press Conference
Fish added to Tour 2022 squad
ArticleThe teenage defender replaces Axel Tuanzebe in the group for the games in Melbourne and Perth.
- Jul '22published time Jul 22News
Opinion: Ten Hag can revive loan players
ArticleErik ten Hag's arrival spells opportunity for Martial, Tuanzebe, van de Beek and Williams.
- Jun '22published time Jun 22Opinion
Tuanzebe looking in top shape
ArticleAxel seems determined to hit the ground running in pre-season next week.
- Jun '22published time Jun 22Social
United's January transfer window round-up
ArticleEight players departed on loan, and one permanently, over the course of the first month of 2022.
- Feb '22published time Feb 22Features
Loan Watch: Garner features in cup shock
ArticleThere was valuable FA Cup experience for our loanees, while two Reds defenders made debuts for their temporary clubs.
- Jan '22published time Jan 22News