Axel Tuanzebe came back into the side to put in a dominant performance for Manchester United against PSG.
It was a daunting task, playing his first match of 2020 against a team boasting world class attackers.
The secret, it seems, was for Tuanzebe to treat the match just like any other game.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Tuanzebe said he and his United teammates did not let the occasion get to them.
This was United’s first Champions League match in over a year.
Tuanzebe said: “We’re a big club, and we’re out here to compete, we’re not here for the music or just for the parade.
“We worked hard last season to be in this competition, so we want to be the best we can and we wanted to start off just as we did today and continue this momentum going forward.
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This was a game where the lack of fans probably worked in United’s favour, allowing the players to focus on the task at hand and not be daunted by the raucous atmosphere and big occasion.
Tuanzebe thrived, putting in arguably the finest performance of his Manchester United career.
His comments underline why United have so much hope for the Rochdale-born defender.
He is a player who just ‘gets it’. He is not at United to take part, he is at the club to win.
This comes from years in the club’s academy, with United’s culture ingrained in his education.
After making his debut back in 2016, surviving the Mourinho era, thriving on loan spells and dealing with nearly 12 months out through injury, this could be Tuanzebe’s time to shine.
He is good enough, he showed that on Tuesday night. He just needs to stay fit, and he will make the rest look effortless.
Reaction
Here is a look at how fans reacted to Tuanzebe’s comments…
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