Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe can enjoy a long career at the Premier League club and needs to improve his consistency to realise his full potential, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday.
Tuanzebe, who has suffered a number of injuries, kept Kylian Mbappe and Neymar quiet in his first game in 10 months as United overcame Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday and Solskjaer was full of praise for the 22-year-old centre back.
“It was a great performance by a kid who’s not played for 10 months. I’m delighted for him, such a professional character... he works really hard, been thorough in rehab,” Solskjaer told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game against Chelsea.
“I’m pleased for him. Now it’s about getting consistency in his performances, he’s got to stay injury-free but I think he can kick on, he’s a leader.
“He can play right back, centre back, midfield, he’s a boy who takes responsibility for his own development and he’s doing everything he can to have a long career at United and get that consistency.”
Solskjaer brushed off media reports that the club had warned young forward Mason Greenwood about his discipline, saying that the 19-year-old was a target because of his early success and transgressions on international duty.
Reds chase record
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 61 home Premier League matches but manager Juergen Klopp is aware of the challenge posed by Sheffield United.
Liverpool are closing in on a club record of 63 home league wins, set between 1978-81.
“Sheffield United deserve a lot of attention for what they do because it is really good,” Klopp told a news conference.
“Even when the results are not so far like they wished for the performances, they have not been bad and I’m sure (coach) Chris Wilder knows that.”
In the absence of the injured Virgil van Dijk, midfielder Fabinho moved to central defence and delivered an assured display as Liverpool beat Ajax 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Klopp, however, said his new-look defensive line still needs time to settle, with Van Dijk set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Today’s matches
- West Ham vs Man City
- Fulham vs Palace
- Man United vs Chelsea
- Liverpool vs Sheffield United
