Rio Ferdinand believes Axel Tuanzebe should be questioning his lack of game time at Manchester United.
Tuanzebe made just his fourth start of the season as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s heavily-rotated side laboured to a 1-0 FA Cup win over Watford at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old academy graduate began in a promising partnership with Eric Bailly and continued to look solid when the Ivorian went off injured with substitute Harry Maguire.
It was a comfortable outing for Tuanzebe as United kept a clean sheet, but he remains on the periphery in Solskjaer’s squad.
United defensive great Ferdinand thinks highly-rated Tuanzebe should be raising the issue over his role.
“I think there has to be a moment in your career where you say, ‘Listen I’ve been here a long time, I’ve done the groundwork, everyone knows what I’m about, and where do I stand in the rankings in the club?'” he told BT Sport, as quoted by the MEN.
“I’d say at the moment, he’s probably fourth-choice. Does he want to play football? He did well against PSG, against world-class opposition, and then he doesn’t play.
“As a player, surely you’re thinking that you had a taste and you want more.
“That’s got to be a mindset of a young player – someone who has grown up at United and wants to play football for Man United, you have to find it somewhere.
“I understand it’s a squad game and there are certain members that play a certain role in the squad.
“As a kid, he was talked about being the next big thing as a centre-back, surely you want to play and if not, you have to ask yourself questions.”
Tuanzebe and Bailly should be asking questions along with Van De Beek, three players that would walk into most premier League teams and who have been overlooked while lesser players play (Lindelof, McTominay, Fred, Matic, Mata etc) Tuanzebe or Bailly should partner either Maguire or Lindelof because neither has the pace to play together. And Donny should be getting more playing time.
Agree.Play Axa and Bailly as first choice centre backs.Time to make a decision that Maguire and Lindelof are not up to standard.They both lack speed.I fear what Mane and Salah will do against both dead woods.Tuanzanbe is the future….now.