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Garth Crooks singles out Manchester United star for praise after Arsenal defeat
GARTH CROOKS has hailed Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe for his performance in yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Garth Crooks hails Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe
Jose Mourinho made eight changes to his Manchester United XI against Arsenal, with one eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-finals second leg with Celta Vigo.
One of the changes saw academy graduate Tuanzebe, 19, earn his full Premier League debut at right-back with the unenviable task of keeping Alexis Sanchez quiet.
And Crooks was impressed by the England Under-20 international and believes he is another "star in the making" at Old Trafford.
Axel Tuanzebe impressed on his debut against Arsenal
On Tuanzebe, Crooks told BBC Sport: "I had never even heard of this lad before this fixture.
"Making your debut for any team is an ordeal but it's an entirely different matter when it's for Manchester United and away at Arsenal.
"What made the occasion even more intense was the amount resting on the match for both teams. Well, what a performance by Axel Tuanzebe.
"The approach from the 19-year-old was just perfect. He did exactly what his senior professionals in the United line-up told him to do and played everything simple.
"He never once over-complicated the game when in possession and although United lost, Tuanzebe took care of Alexis Sanchez as if he was playing a youth team game and looked a star in the making.
"We've already seen Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard come through at United.
"Where are they getting these kids from? It's great to see a Premier League club bringing through home-grown talent. I was beginning to think we'd forgotten how."