Axel Tuanzebe
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Axel Tuanzebe[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 14 November 1997||
Place of birth | Bunia, DR Congo | ||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Ipswich Town | ||
Number | 40 | ||
Youth career | |||
2006–2015 |
Manchester United | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2023 | Manchester United | 19 | (0) |
2018 | → Aston Villa (loan) | 5 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → Aston Villa (loan) | 25 | (0) |
2021–2022 | → Aston Villa (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2022 | → Napoli (loan) | 1 | (0) |
2023 | → Stoke City (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2023– | Ipswich Town | 11 | (0) |
International career | |||
2016 | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
2016–2017 | England U20 | 9 | (0) |
2017 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:33, 19 March 2024 (UTC) |
Axel Tuanzebe (born 14 November 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Ipswich Town.
Tuanzebe is a graduate of the
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he relocated to England at a young age and has represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.
Club career
Manchester United
Early years
Tuanzebe was associated with the
On 31 October 2015, at the age of 17, Tuanzebe was named on the substitutes bench for a match against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, the first time he had been a member of a first-team matchday squad.[8][9]
2016–17 season
On 29 January 2017, Tuanzebe made his Manchester United debut as a 68th-minute substitute, replacing
2017–18 season
Tuanzebe made his first start of the season against Swansea City in the EFL Cup on 24 October 2017, playing a key part in the second goal of the 2–0 victory.[14] On 5 December 2017, he made his European debut in a 2–1 victory over CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.[15]
Loans to Aston Villa
On 25 January 2018, Tuanzebe joined
2019–20 season
In July 2019, Tuanzebe signed a new contract with Manchester United until June 2022, with an option for an additional year.[20] He became the youngest player to captain United since Norman Whiteside in 1985, during an EFL Cup victory against Rochdale in September 2019.[21]
2020–21 season
On 20 October 2020, Tuanzebe started his first UEFA Champions League match in a 2–1 away win against Paris Saint-Germain.[22] He started his first league game of the season on 27 January 2021, in a 2–1 home defeat to eventual bottom-finishers Sheffield United.
2021–22 season: Aston Villa & Napoli loans
After a couple of displays for Manchester United in pre season friendlies, including a 4–2 away defeat at
2022–23 season: Stoke City loan
On 31 January 2023, Tuanzebe joined Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.[27] Tuanzebe's time at Stoke was restricted by injury, making five appearances.[28]
Ipswich Town
On 8 September 2023, Tuanzebe signed for EFL Championship side Ipswich Town on an initial 12-month contract.[29]
International career
Tuanzebe is eligible to represent England or the Democratic Republic of the Congo at international level.[30] He has played youth international football for England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.[31]
Tuanzebe began his international career in June 2016, when he made his first appearance for England at under-19 level, against Mexico.[32] He was a member of the England under-20 squad which won all three matches at the Four Nations tournament in October 2016.[33] Tuanzebe was withdrawn from selection for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup due to club commitments.[34]
On 10 November 2017, Tuanzebe made his debut for England at under-21 level, against Ukraine.[35]
In December 2023, Tuanzebe was pre-called up by the DR Congo national team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[36]
Style of play
Tuanzebe's preferred position is at centre-back, but he can also play as a right-back, and has featured as a holding midfielder.[37][38] His playing style has been compared to that of his former Manchester United teammate Eric Bailly and former Spain international Javi Martínez.[39] Tuanzebe's performance on his first-team debut in a friendly against Wigan Athletic in July 2016 led manager José Mourinho to remark, "10 minutes is enough! The potential is there, you see it immediately."[40]
Personal life
Tuanzebe was born in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2] He relocated to England with his family at the age of four.[41] He attended St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale and captained the Year 7 football team to the final of the English National Schools Cup at Stamford Bridge in 2009.[42] In the same year, he was awarded Sports Boy of the Year by the Mayor of Rochdale.[42] He also represented his school in cross-country and triple-jump.[42] He is the younger brother of ex-Clitheroe striker Dimitri Tuanzebe.[43]
In July 2018, he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to individually clear a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos, while in Los Angeles on Manchester United's pre-season tour.[44][45]
Career statistics
- As of match played 16 March 2024[2]
Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Manchester United | 2015–16[46] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
2016–17[47] | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
2017–18[48] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
2018–19[49] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
2019–20[50] | Premier League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | ||
2020–21[2] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8[e] | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | ||
2021–22[51] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
2022–23[52] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | ||
Aston Villa (loan) | 2017–18[48] | Championship | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
2018–19[49] | Championship | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[f] | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
2021–22[51] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 | |||
Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |||
Napoli (loan)
|
2021–22[51]
|
Serie A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
Stoke City (loan) | 2022–23[52] | Championship | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
Ipswich Town | 2023–24[2] | Championship | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||
Career total | 74 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 104 | 1 |
- ^ Includes FA Cup and Coppa Italia
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ Appearance in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
Honours
Manchester United
- UEFA Europa League: 2016–17;[53] runner-up: 2020–21[54]
Aston Villa
Individual
References
- ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Axel Tuanzebe at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Luckhurst, Samuel (29 January 2017). "Who is Axel Tuanzebe? Manchester United youngster in profile as he makes debut vs Wigan". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Axel Tuanzebe player profile page". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "4 Manchester United youngsters who look destined for the first team". FourFourTwo. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b Mathieson, Stuart (19 May 2015). "David de Gea: I love Manchester United colleagues and fans are best in the world". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Who is Axel Tuanzebe? Profile of Manchester United youngster on loan with Aston Villa". Manchester Evening News. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Magowan, Alistair (31 October 2015). "Crystal Palace 0–0 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Manchester United manager Van Gaal explains why he named Tuanzebe in Crystal Palace squad". Manchester Evening News. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Manchester United 4–0 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Axel Tuanzebe signs new Manchester United contract". Sky Sports. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Lovett, Samuel (8 May 2017). "Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe 'chuffed' after making full debut and taking on Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez". The Independent. London. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ a b Luckhurst, Samuel (18 May 2017). "Manchester United player Ander Herrera wins Player of the Year award". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- ^ Pritchard, Dafydd (24 October 2017). "Swansea City 0–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- ^ Shamoon, Hafez. "Manchester United 2–1 CSKA Moscow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ "Villa sign Man Utd defender Tuanzebe". BBC Sport. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Axel Tuanzebe: Aston Villa re-sign Manchester United defender on loan". BBC Sport. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Manchester United centre-back Axel Tuanzebe joins Aston Villa on loan". Sky Sports. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b Woodcock, Ian (27 May 2019). "Aston Villa 2–1 Derby County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Manchester United: Andreas Pereira and Axel Tuanzebe sign new contracts". BBC Sport. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Axel Tuanzebe captained Manchester United". Manchester Evening News. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Why Axel Tuanzebe's performance in Paris should not come as a surprise". The Independent. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Robinson, Harry (8 August 2021). "Tuanzebe signs new deal and goes on loan". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ "Aston Villa re-sign Tuanzebe on loan" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Il Napoli ufficializza l'arrivo di Tuanzebe con la formula del prestito". sscnapoli.it (in Italian). S.S.C. Napoli. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "New loan move for Tuanzebe". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Tuanzebe makes it five". Stoke City. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "Easy Man United contract decision is complicated one for Stoke City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Town sign Tuanzebe". Ipswich Town F.C. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Bolasie & Abraham can fire Aston Villa back to the Premier League". ESPN. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Axel Tuanzebe". besoccer.com. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Marshall, Adam (7 June 2016). "Tuanzebe primed for first international tournament with England". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "England Under-20s win mini-tournament after 2–0 win over USA". The Football Association. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Man United's Axel Tuanzebe left out of England U20 World Cup squad". ESPN. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "Ukraine U21 0–2 England U21". BBC Sport. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "AFCON 2023 - PROVISIONAL SQUADS LIST" (PDF). p. 11.
- ^ Ducker, James (9 May 2017). "Axel Tuanzebe out of England U-20 squad as Mourinho wants him to play more for Man Utd". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ Marshall, Adam (25 May 2017). "Axel Tuanzebe is coming of age at United". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- ^ Tighe, Sam (14 September 2016). "Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe Has Hallmarks of Eric Bailly and Javi Martinez". Bleacher Report. Turner. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
- ^ Bajkowski, Simon (16 July 2016). "Mourinho praises Manchester United youngster Tuanzebe for his EIGHT minutes against Wigan". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
- ^ "Manchester United starlet Axel Tuanzebe out to prove he has come of age during Aston Villa loan". Express & Star. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Luckhurst, Samuel (11 November 2015). "Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe 'born for greatness'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ Luckhurst, Samuel (29 January 2017). "Who is Axel Tuanzebe? Manchester United youngster in profile". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ Dunker, Charlotte (18 July 2018). "Axel Tuanzebe breaks bizarre Guinness World Record on Manchester United pre-season tour". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Fastest time to clear a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos (individual)". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Games played by Axel Tuanzebe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (24 May 2017). "Ajax 0–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
"Ajax v Manchester United – UEFA Europa League Final". Getty Images. Retrieved 11 August 2019. - ^ Stone, Simon (26 May 2021). "Villarreal 1–1 Manchester United (11–10 on pens): David de Gea spot kick saved in epic Europa League final shootout". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
External links
- Profile at the Ipswich Town F.C. website
- Axel Tuanzebe – UEFA competition record (archive)