[Alemar]

Watched him a lot for Villa and thought his positioning was always spot on, never realised he had so much pace though.

I’d drop Maguire for him..

It will be Lindelof vs Maguire rivalry now. We may actually need Maguire more now if Telles continues to put such corners. Yet, Tuanzebe will be a starter without a doubt, if he manages to stay fit and continue playing like that.

It’s like Greenwood last year - after several performances of high calibre, he automatically became a starter.

 

[Mickson]

As I have been saying for a long time - and people laughed at me - he's a start player for United if he can stay injury-free. We need him. He has things we need, and he has things Ole needs. The only CB who can match Mbappe for pace. Sensational tonight.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

His only problem is his fitness otherwise he has the talent to be a fantastic player.

 

[sport2793]

My view is we have 4 CBs at the moment. On the right you should play Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Bailly in that order. On the left I would play Maguire and Lindelof as his deputy there. I think a Tuanzebe Maguire partnership would be fantastic as Tuanzebe clearly has enough pace to allow you to play a high line against pacy opponents (won't face anyone faster than Mbappe).

 

[JJ12]

Though he looked great with Lindelof why split them up?

Maguire would look even better, especially in a back 5. Maguire is better in the air than both, being the main reason though.

 

[sport2793]

Though he looked great with Lindelof why split them up?

Because Lindelof will still come up with some disgraceful defensive performances, see Chelsea vs. United in FA semi last season for example. Lindelof surprisingly was not asked to do much today as PSG seemed to focus on attacking the right hand side. Quite odd considering how good AWB is defensively, let alone Tuanzebe's performance today.

 

[Deery]

Maguire would look even better, especially in a back 5. Maguire is better in the air than both, being the main reason though.

Because Lindelof will still come up with some disgraceful defensive performances, see Chelsea vs. United in FA semi last season for example. Lindelof surprisingly was not asked to do much today as PSG seemed to focus on attacking the left hand side. Quite odd considering how good AWB is defensively, let alone Tuanzebe's performance today.

Have you two even watched Maguire recently he’s prone to more mistakes than Lindelof.

 

[sport2793]

Have you two even watched Maguire recently he’s prone to more mistakes than Lindelof.

I don't put too much stock in the first few matches of the season, especially the 6-1 as I truly believe this team was not fit enough and suffered from a late end to the season + lack of preseason. In those first 3 PL matches, the team did not have enough intensity for 90 minutes and could not cover every part of the pitch like they have done over the last two matches (and how they were doing so post-lockdown last season). Now if Maguire is still playing the way he was in the next couple of matches then you have a point.

 

[Grande]

It will be Lindelof vs Maguire rivalry now. We may actually need Maguire more now if Telles continues to put such corners. Yet, Tuanzebe will be a starter without a doubt, if he manages to stay fit and continue playing like that.

It’s like Greenwood last year - after several performances of high calibre, he automatically became a starter.

Though he looked great with Lindelof why split them up?

Which is a good point. As many have pointed out, Lindelöf and Maguire do well, but are a bit to similar apart from the aerial domination of Maguire. Bailly and Tuanzebe completes them, but Tuanzebe is more intelligent and more composed than Bailly. In that regard it would be great if only one of the two latter were not injury prone.

I actually thought Lindelöf was the best CB on the pitch tonight, but Tuanzebe was brilliant and had a few really youtubish moments knowing who hewas up against.

 

[sammsky1]

9.5/10

Who is this guy? never heard about it when we signed him this window!!!

Mentally, I never even included him as an option this season but after a performance like that, without any previous game time, who knows what his potential and ceiling can be!!!

Who needs hipsters like Upamacano when we have Axel?

 

[Deery]

Which is a good point. As many have pointed out, Lindelöf and Maguire do well, but are a bit to similar apart from the aerial domination of Maguire. Bailly and Tuanzebe completes them, but Tuanzebe is more intelligent and more composed than Bailly. In that regard it would be great if only one of the two latter were not injury prone.

I actually thought Lindelöf was the best CB on the pitch tonight, but Tuanzebe was brilliant and had a few really youtubish moments knowing who hewas up against.

I thought Lindelof was great too, but he seems to be universally disliked because he was out muscled a few times. Still are very good defender..

 

[MikeKing]

Oh my, what a beast performance. I knew the kid was talented and on the up before his injury but god damn

 

[Adnan]

9.5/10

Who is this guy? never heard about it when we signed him this window!!!

Mentally, I never even included him as an option this season but after a perforce like that, without any previous game time, who knows what his potential and ceiling can be!!!

Who needs hipsters like Upamacano when we have Axel?

If he can stay fit then he solves alot of problems for us and would allow us to play a more imposing game against the best teams.

 

[sammsky1]

If he can stay fit then he solves alot of problems for us and would allow us to play a more imposing game against the best teams.

I was thinking this as I watched the game and getting very excited! But isn't he a perma-crock Bailly or Jones?

 

[arthurka]

Said it here sometime ago that if he could stay fit he would own this position, nothing has changed.. please stay fit.

 

[MikeKing]

I want to see Mengi and Tuanzebe in the cups. No joke, time to get serious. Give them a run out and see if they can overtake our older weirdoes in a season or so.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

I want to see Mengi and Tuanzebe in the cups. No joke, time to get serious. Give them a run out and see if they can overtake our older weirdoes in a season or so.

Next game is a strong Everton team. We need our best side to stand a chance I think.

 

[WR10]

Lindelof and Maguire have a lot to learn from this guy. He’s mastered the basic defensive skill of winning the ball before your striker gets a chance to touch it and turn. Rio was a genius at that. The talent comes from doing it without fouling (which Maguire is hopeless at) and Victor is hopeless at the attempt all together. Victor always allows his attacker to turn and run - it’s pathetic

 

[Adnan]

I was thinking this as I watched the game and getting very excited! But isn't he a perma-crock Bailly or Jones?

Injuries are a huge concern with him..

 

[Stadjer]

I was thinking this as I watched the game and getting very excited! But isn't he a perma-crock Bailly or Jones?

he is unfortunatly.

 

[MikeKing]

Next game is a strong Everton team. We need our best side to stand a chance I think.

Good point, but you never know. It might just be. If they have Telles, Shaw and AWB around them.

 

[A-man]

Great performance today, the best I’ve seen from him by miles and that comes after a long injury. Impressive. Hope he can keep it up and stay injury free.

Because Lindelof will still come up with some disgraceful defensive performances, see Chelsea vs. United in FA semi last season for example. Lindelof surprisingly was not asked to do much today as PSG seemed to focus on attacking the right hand side. Quite odd considering how good AWB is defensively, let alone Tuanzebe's performance today.

Both Lindelof and Axel have had and will have shit shows. That’s how it is, especially for players who play every game week in week out.
It’s not so odd they attack from their left where they had both Neymar and Mbappé. To their right is diMaria who is a level below those and he was also easily shut down by the defence.
The centre was compact because of good positioning and help from the midfield, and PSG never penetrated through the central defence.Maguire would have added some strength in the air but I think our centre backs handled that good enough. I think there would have been a big risk that Maguire had been dribbled if he had played.

 

[AltiUn]

Though he looked great with Lindelof why split them up?

Neither are great in the air is the biggest downside I can see there. It's important to have options anyway.

Hopefully Tuanzebe stays fit and can provide some good competition and rotation for the current first choice pairing, we just have to take things one game at a time and not get carried away.

Another note though, the feck was that yellow card? softest thing I've ever seen.

 

[VeevaVee]

Can’t remember if I posted in here or not. Class performance from him. Hope to see a lot more from him ASAP.

 

[sport2793]

Great performance today, the best I’ve seen from him by miles and that comes after a long injury. Impressive. Hope he can keep it up and stay injury free.


Both Lindelof and Axel have had and will have shit shows. That’s how it is, especially for players who play every game week in week out.
It’s not so odd they attack from their left where they had both Neymar and Mbappé. To their right is diMaria who is a level below those and he was also easily shut down by the defence.
The centre was compact because of good positioning and help from the midfield, and PSG never penetrated through the central defence.Maguire would have added some strength in the air but I think our centre backs handled that good enough. I think there would have been a big risk that Maguire had been dribbled if he had played.

Possibly although I am surprised Mbappe didn't switch to the right side for a period of time in the match, I've seen him do some serious damage on that flank before.

 

[sammsky1]

Lovely interview with Tuanzebe and others

 

[crossy1686]

cheers. Saw someone mentioning bad knees, which would be a worry. Any injury to keep you out for nearly a year is a concern mind.

it was obvious at the start of last season that OGS wanted him to be a first team player. Massive bonus if he stays fit, if he does he’s a starter.

No one's actually said what the last injury that kept him out for 10 months was but the previous two were hip and hamstring, his knees seem to be perfectly fine so these comparisons to Ledly King are lazy, to be honest.

Not to start a rumour or speculate too much but sometimes, when a player fails a drugs test or is banned for a long period, the FA let the club handle it in whatever way they see fit. I'm not saying that happened here but he could have missed a drugs test or something and ended up doing a Rio? The fact that no one has said what his injury was concerning has made me suspicious.

 

[Still ill]

I thought the whole defence was superb tonight. Axel was majestic all things considered. Such composure, pace, positioning. And himself and Lindelof complemented each other perfectly.
Ole made some big decisions tonight. If Harry doesn't get his arse in gear quickly, Axel for Maguire might be the next one.

 

[A-man]

Possibly although I am surprised Mbappe didn't switch to the right side for a period of time in the match, I've seen him do some serious damage on that flank before.

He could have after diMaria went off but at the same time, even if AWB and also Tuanzebe were doing great at that side, he was pretty close to score a few times.

I was more surprised they didn’t play more through the centre, as they did against Leipzig in the CL semi. But our central defence, including midfielders, kept good positions, stayed alert and it was not easy to run in behind as it was against Leipzig.

 

[always_hoping]

Near flawless performance.

 

[Green_Red]

I think we saw tonight why we didn't panic buy a CB during the transfer window. Class act.

 

[Reiver]

What a game to come back into and what a performance. Hadn't seen why he is so highly rated by some until tonight but now I understand. Needs to be given a run in the team to show that he's not made of glass.

 

[Isotope]

From all positions, I think centerback is the least useful to use stats. They can't capture positioning, marking, intimidation, and communication which are super important on defence.

 

[Ubik]

You'd be worried enough about even a seasoned pro coming back from a 10 month lay-off against any half decent attack. Made it look laughably easy.

Going to avoid getting too hopeful for now, just fingers crossed he can stay fit and get more chances.

 

[Get In Scholesy]

Excellent, excellent performance from him today. CL debut if I am not mistaken? Looked like he has been playing at it for years. Wasn't phased by any of the PSG attackers.

Was watching on BT and you could hear how vocal he was in organizing the defence. Very impressive start, let's hope he can stay fit.

Fantastic game.

 

[hungrywing]

Lovely interview with Tuanzebe and others

He's always been so so good in interviews.

#Juststayfit.

 

[simonhch]

Really happy for Axel, top talent who I thought needed to go on loan this season to get a feel back for the game. To come back in and do that today, just top fecking class from him. I really hope he can stay fit and play.

Personally I would pair him with Maguire, who is a leader and resulted in a huge improvement in our defence when he signed. I think his aerial dominance is important. But, it is harsh of Lindelof. Lindy has his flaws but I've always thought he is a really dependable, class defender. A bit weak sometimes, and doesn't have excellent physical attributes, but he's no waif either - despite the Caf insistence otherwise. Having the three of them competing for a place, is very good news. The odd man out for me remains Bailly, who despite his physical gifts (pace not aerial prowess) is just a rash liability with terrible positioning. Whenever he plays, I am expecting a mix of brilliant and catastrophic. One player I would LOVE for us to move on.

Very happy to see Axel perform like this. At the end of the day, he can have all the potential in the world, but it's performances that speak loudest. And here he did it. It's put himself in contention to be in the starting XI. As always I have enormous faith in Ole to make the right decision.

As an aside, I am always extremely impressed with Shaw on the left side of a back three. His best position by a mile IMO.

 

[Cabin Clown]

Fking immense! We have found in Axel and Telles everything we wanted defensively during the transfer window. He simply has to start from now with his physical attributes alone.

 

[SambaBoy]

We need to be careful with him especially in this run of games. If Maguire is fit I'd bring him back in against Everton. The temptation would be to play Tuanzebe after a performance like that but he that was his first game in a while and I'd imagine his high intensity sprints was quite high, he's also known to be injury prone. Worst thing we can do is play him every game in this run due to the fatigue aspect and his record. Let's be clever with him, and build him up so he avoids any injuries again.

 

[Winzaghi]

Was great seeing him play so well today. Really thought he was going to break through last season but of course that wasn't to be. Hopefully this is his year.