Ryan Giggs insists Axel Tuanzebe has all the attributes to be a top centre-back for Manchester United
Ryan Giggs insists Axel Tuanzebe has all the attributes to be a top centre-back for Manchester United (Getty/YouTube)

Ryan Giggs has backed Axel Tuanzebe to secure a regular role at Manchester United following his impressive performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The 22-year-old started at the heart of United’s defence alongside as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sealed a 2-1 victory over last season’s Champions League finalists.

Tuanzebe delivered a solid performance up against Kylian Mbappe and has made a strong case to keep his place for United’s clash against Chelsea this weekend.

Tuanzebe initially made his first-team breakthrough when Giggs was at United as Louis van Gaal’s assistant.

And the former United winger believes the young defender has the right characteristics to be a regular starter at Old Trafford.

‘All Axel has got to do now is play games, stay fit, play games, because he’s got all the attributes,’ Giggs told Webby and O’Neill.

Axel Tuanzebe impressed against Kylian Mbappe as Manchester United beat PSG
Axel Tuanzebe impressed against Kylian Mbappe as Manchester United beat PSG (EPA)

‘He can handle the ball, he can even play midfield, we thought about playing him in midfield when he was fit under Louis [Van Gaal].

‘He can read the game well, he’s quick, I think he showed that yesterday [against PSG].

‘But he’s got to play games. And when he plays game his confidence will grow because he’s got all the attributes to be a Man United centre-half.

‘Now he’s just got to bang out those games. Once he does that it’s up to him to say to Ole, ‘leave me out of the team, I’m doing so well you can’t leave me out of the team’.

‘And that consistency, he’s got to produce performances like that again and again and again.

‘I’m sure if he stays fit he’ll be a regular in the first team.

‘When Louis came he was going through a stage like a massive growth spurt, so he had a few injuries, a few niggles.

‘He had that time at Villa [on loan], he’s just got to play games now. He’s just got to stay fit because he can handle the ball, he’s quick, he’s strong.’

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