Axel Tuanzebe

1. Early Life and Background

Axel Tuanzebe was born on November 14, 1997, in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the age of four, he immigrated with his family to England. His younger brother, Dimitri Tuanzebe, is also a footballer, having played as a striker for Clitheroe F.C..

2. Club Career

Tuanzebe's professional football journey began within the prestigious youth academy of Manchester United, where he spent his formative years developing his skills. Following his emergence from United's system, he embarked on several loan spells at other clubs, gaining valuable first-team experience before eventually moving on to Ipswich Town.

2.1. Manchester United

Axel Tuanzebe's career at Manchester United spanned from his early days in the youth academy to his professional debut and subsequent appearances for the senior team, including various loan periods that aided his development.

2.1.1. Early Years and Senior Debut

Tuanzebe joined the Manchester United academy at the age of eight. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities, notably captaining the youth side that won the Milk Cup in 2014. In May 2015, his progress was recognized when he received the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. Academy coach Paul McGuinness remarked that Tuanzebe was likely the first first-year scholar to captain the under-18 team since the club legend Gary Neville.

On October 31, 2015, at just 17 years old, Tuanzebe was included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time, named on the substitutes bench for a Premier League match against Crystal Palace. He made his official Manchester United debut on January 29, 2017, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Timothy Fosu-Mensah during a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford. Four days later, he signed an extension to his contract with Manchester United, committing him until 2020 with the option for an additional year. Tuanzebe made his first senior start for the club on May 7, 2017, in a 2-0 Premier League defeat against Arsenal. In May 2017, he was further honored with the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award, acknowledging his consistent performances for the reserve squad. His performance against Arsenal even earned him a spot in the BBC's Team of the Week.

2.1.2. Loan Spells and Development

Tuanzebe's development at Manchester United also included several loan spells, which provided him with crucial first-team exposure and experience.

His first loan move saw him join EFL Championship side Aston Villa on January 25, 2018, for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. However, due to injury problems and the strong form of established centre-backs James Chester and John Terry, he was limited to just five appearances before returning to Manchester United. In August 2018, after participating in United's pre-season tour to the United States, he rejoined Aston Villa for a second loan spell for the 2018-19 season. This period proved more successful, as he played the full 90 minutes on May 27, 2019, when Villa secured promotion to the Premier League with a victory over Derby County in the 2019 EFL Championship play-off final.

Tuanzebe's third loan spell began on August 8, 2021, when he returned to Aston Villa for the 2021-22 season. He made his official Premier League debut for Villa on August 21, 2021, as a substitute in a 2-0 home win against Newcastle United. He then made his first start for them on August 28, 2021, in a 1-1 draw against Brentford. On January 8, 2022, Tuanzebe was recalled from his Aston Villa loan and immediately loaned out to Serie A team Napoli for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. He made his Napoli debut on January 9, 2022, as a substitute in a 1-0 home victory over Sampdoria in Serie A. His first start for Napoli came on January 13 in a Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina, which Napoli lost 2-5, resulting in their elimination.

In the pre-season of the 2022-23 season, Tuanzebe suffered another injury, delaying his return to training until January. On the mid-season transfer deadline day, February 1, 2023, he joined Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the season. Despite the move, persistent injury problems continued to restrict his playing time, limiting him to only five appearances. He made his Stoke City debut on February 15, 2023, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 3-0 win against Huddersfield Town. His first start for Stoke City was on March 10, 2023, in a 3-2 home victory over Blackburn Rovers.

2.1.3. Later Seasons with Manchester United

In July 2019, Tuanzebe signed a new contract with Manchester United that would keep him at the club until June 2022, with an option for an additional year. In September 2019, he notably became the youngest player to captain United since Norman Whiteside in 1985, during an EFL Cup victory against Rochdale. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained that giving Tuanzebe the captain's armband was a way to convey trust in the young defender.

During the initial two months of the 2019-20 season, Tuanzebe established himself as a starting centre-back for Manchester United. However, he suffered a hip injury during the warm-up before the North West Derby in October, which sidelined him. He made his return in December's EFL Cup victory over Colchester United but sustained a hamstring injury during that match, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

On October 20, 2020, Tuanzebe made his first start in 10 months, following an ankle injury suffered in pre-season. This match marked his UEFA Champions League debut, where Manchester United secured a 2-1 away victory against Paris Saint-Germain. His performance in this game earned significant praise, particularly his defensive work against formidable attackers like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar. He made his first league start of the season on January 27, 2021, in a 2-1 home defeat to eventual bottom-finishers Sheffield United. On February 25, he scored a goal in the UEFA Europa League against Real Sociedad, which would have been his only goal for Manchester United, but it was disallowed by VAR due to a foul committed by teammate Victor Lindelöf during the corner. Tuanzebe continued to play in all remaining Europa League games, including the final, and served as a rotation option in the Premier League, making 19 appearances in total during the season.

He featured in a pre-season friendly against Queens Park Rangers on July 24, 2021, which Manchester United lost 2-4. On August 8, 2021, Tuanzebe signed a new two-year contract with Manchester United, with the option of an additional year. Following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, Tuanzebe was released by Manchester United after his contract expired.

3. International Career

Axel Tuanzebe is eligible to represent either England or the Democratic Republic of the Congo at international level, a choice he later made for his senior career.

He began his international career playing for England's youth national teams. In June 2016, he made his first appearance for the under-19 squad against Mexico. He was also a member of the England under-20 squad that won all three matches at the Four Nations tournament in October 2016. However, Tuanzebe was later withdrawn from selection for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup due to commitments with his club. On November 10, 2017, he made his debut for the England under-21 team against Ukraine.

In December 2023, Tuanzebe received a pre-call up from the DR Congo national football team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He eventually made his senior debut for the DR Congo national team on June 6, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier against Senegal at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium. He played the entire match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

4. Style of Play

Axel Tuanzebe's preferred position is at centre-back, where he primarily operates. However, his versatility allows him to also play effectively as a right-back and has featured as a holding midfielder when required. His playing style has drawn comparisons to his former Manchester United teammate Eric Bailly and the former Spain international Javi Martínez, known for their defensive prowess and ability to adapt to different roles.

His potential was recognized early by coaches. After Tuanzebe's first-team debut in a friendly against Wigan Athletic in July 2016, then-Manchester United manager José Mourinho famously remarked, "10 minutes is enough! The potential is there, you see it immediately." This comment highlighted Tuanzebe's immediate impact and natural ability, even in brief appearances.

5. Personal Life

Axel Tuanzebe was born in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and moved to England with his family when he was four years old. He attended St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale, where he was recognized for his athletic talents, captaining the Year 7 football team to a national final and being named Sports Boy of the Year by the Mayor of Rochdale in 2009. He also participated in cross-country and triple-jump for his school. He is the younger brother of former Clitheroe striker Dimitri Tuanzebe.

In July 2018, Tuanzebe achieved a unique distinction by breaking a Guinness World Record. He became the fastest person to clear the board game Hungry Hungry Hippos, completing the feat in just 17.36 seconds.

6. Career Statistics

7. Honours and Achievements

Manchester United

• UEFA Europa League: 2016-17
• UEFA Europa League: 2020-21 (Runner-up)

Aston Villa

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2019 (Winner)

Ipswich Town

• EFL Championship: 2023-24 (Runner-up)

Individual

• Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2014-15
• Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year: 2016-17