Axel Tuanzebe Shirt number 38
Not playingAxel Tuanzebe Quote
I’ll stay humble and keep working hard for opportunities to play.
- Age24
- 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
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
New loan move for Tuanzebe
ArticleAxel will play for an overseas club until the end of the season, after ending his temporary spell with Aston Villa.
- Jan '22published time Jan 22News
Loan Watch: Laird shines in huge win
ArticleFind out how our on-loan Reds did this weekend as Ethan Laird continues to impress in the Championship.
- Oct '21published time Oct 21News
Loan Watch: Young Reds in cup action
ArticleTwo United full-backs made an impression on Tuesday evening, one as a late substitute.
- Aug '21published time Aug 21News
Tuanzebe secures loan move
ArticleAxel will spend 2021/22 out on loan, after signing a new contract with the Reds.
- Aug '21published time Aug 21News
Ole discusses centre-back situation
ArticleWith Varane lined up, the boss says Jones is on his way back, but Axel could head out on loan.
- Jul '21published time Jul 21News
My Story: Tuanzebe's unforgettable journey
VideoAxel Tuanzebe tells us about the highs and lows of his lifelong journey to the top, in an exclusive new interview...
- Jun '21published time Jun 21Video
Axel Tuanzebe: My Story
ArticleThe defender reveals the best advice he's received and spells out his ambition to play more in 2021/22.
- Jun '21published time Jun 21Features
United's Denzil Haroun Player of the Year winners
ArticleSome huge names from the club's history have won the respected Reserve-Team award since its inception in 1991.
- May '21published time May 21Features
United's Young Player of the Year winners
ArticleHow many can you recall? Have a think and then check out the long list, which includes some famous names...
- May '21published time May 21Features