TUANZEBE PUSHING FOR COMPETITIVE DEBUT
Axel Tuanzebe is determined to keep pushing for his competitive debut for Manchester United by impressing Jose Mourinho even further.
The Reserves captain was in the travelling squad for the EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Hull City and has been training with the first-team players. When Mourinho praised the 19-year-old on MUTV this week and explained why he is integrating him into the senior group, it naturally pleased the young centre-back.
"There's no better feeling," Tuanzebe told MUTV, "but I can't let it go to my head and relax now. I've got to keep my head down and keep proving to him why he should have faith in me. I've got to keep pushing every day and showing why I should be in the team and why I'm here at the club.
"It's definitely been good training with superstars and I can learn a lot from these players every day. I'm always willing to learn and try my best. It doesn't depend on the level, I could be with the Under-23s or the first team, I always try my best to improve as a player."
Tuanzebe definitely believes he is at the right club in terms of being able to envisage a pathway into senior football and only needs to look at the success of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford for role models.
"It's a massive booster to see the likes of Marcus and Jesse coming right from the bottom and working all the way up through the system," he added. "It's always a great thing to see. It gives everyone a boost - if they can do it, why can't I?
"Massive credit to the club for actually having the belief the youngsters can play for the first team. I don't think that happens at every other club and it's a real positive for all the players working here."
Tuanzebe's former Reserves coach Warren Joyce returns to Old Trafford with Wigan Athletic for the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie on Sunday, having had a huge input into the defender's progress.
"He was a massive influence personally," said Axel. "Every day was flat out. There were no rest days, even when the first team were off, we were in doing extra work. During international breaks, we were doing extra. He has been a massive influence and it'll be good to see him on Sunday. There's a bit of competition and we'll see how it goes!"
And, as he gets close to making his breakthrough, can we expect to see Axel involved this weekend, against the side he featured against in a first-team friendly in pre-season?
"It's down to the manager," he replies. "All I can do is try my best in training every day and show why I can be a first-team player."
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