Ryan Giggs believes Axel Tuanzebe has all the attributes to play in central midfield for Manchester United.
Tuanzebe started United's 2-1 win away to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, operating on the right side of a back three alongside Victor Lindelof and auxilliary centre-back Luke Shaw.
It was the 22-year-old’s first appearance of the calendar year and he played himself into contention to start against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday after shackling the French prodigy Kylian Mbappe.
Giggs was part of the United coaching staff when Louis van Gaal promoted Tuanzebe to the first-team squad in 2015, and he believes the defender's technical ability is so good that he could play in a more advanced role.
Giggs told Webby & O’Neill’s YouTube channel: “First of all, he’s a really good lad with a good mentality. All Axel’s got to do now is stay fit, play games because he’s got all of the attributes. He can handle the ball, he can even play in midfield.
“We thought about playing him in midfield when he was fit, under Louis. He can read the game well, he’s quick - I think he showed that yesterday (against PSG)."
Giggs went on to suggest he sees Tuanzebe as a defender long term: “He’s got to play games, and when he plays games, his confidence will grow, because he’s got all of the attributes to be a Manchester United centre-half.
“Now, like I say, he’s got to bang out those games and once he does that, it’s up to him to say to Ole, ‘Leave me out the team. I’m doing so well, you can’t leave me out of the team.
“That consistency, he’s got to produce performances like that over and over again. I’m sure if he stays fit, then he will be a regular in the first-team.”
