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Secret agent

Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe seen in deep conversation with former PSG star Edinson Cavani before performing brilliantly against Kylian Mbappe and Neymar

It seems Edinson Cavani’s inside information paid off for Axel Tuanzebe in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Devils won their opening Champions League group game thanks to Marcus Rashford’s 87th-minute strike after Anthony Martial’s own goal cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ first-half penalty on Tuesday.

 Cavani could have been giving Tuanzebe tips on how to deal with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar
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Cavani could have been giving Tuanzebe tips on how to deal with Kylian Mbappe and NeymarCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Tuanzebe starred in a back-three for United in his first game back in ten months as he kept Kylian Mbappe and Neymar quiet in Paris.

In a training session before the match, the 22-year-old was seen in deep conversation with new Red Devils signing Cavani, who spent seven years at PSG before arriving at Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer.

And any advice Cavani passed on to Tuanzebe worked a treat with the defender staking a serious claim for a regular starting spot.

Tuanzebe has endured an injury-plagued 2020 and his last United appearance came in a Carabao Cup clash with Colchester last December.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dubbed Tuanzebe’s performance against PSG ‘unbelievable’.

 Tuanzebe was excellent against PSG's star attackers Mbappe and Neymar
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Tuanzebe was excellent against PSG's star attackers Mbappe and NeymarCredit: AFP or licensors

He said: “Axel did fantastic.

“He has been out for ten months so to put a performance up like this against Neymar and Mbappe, he almost surprised us as well.

“He is a tremendous defender, a great leader. We have known for years he is going to be a top player for us. To see the way he was it was unbelievable. Absolutely spot-on.”

Cavani missed the win over PSG due to a lack of match fitness, but the striker could make his United debut against Chelsea on Saturday.

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