Manchester United have given teenage defender Axel Tuanzebe a new contract until June 2020, the club have announced.

What are the details?

The 19-year-old made his first-team debut last weekend when he played in the Red Devils’ 4-0 rout over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

Manager Jose Mourinho has been keeping an eye on him for some time after being impressed by his showing last summer.

Just one month after being appointed United manager, the Portuguese coach had positive words to say about the youngster after watching him on the pitch.

The manager is so impressed that he has decided to tie Tuanzebe down to the Red Devils for the next five years.

Mourinho told the club’s official website:

“Axel is a young player with great potential. We brought him up to the first team to give him more experience and he has adapted really well. I am pleased that he has signed a new contract and I am delighted with the progress he is making.”

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Could Tuanzebe become a successful graduate?

Throughout Mourinho’s management career, he has never been hugely focused on developing academy players.

The Portuguese coach tends not to stay at a club for more than three years at a time, therefore prioritises short-term success rather than building for the future.

So, giving Tuanzebe a chance at the weekend gives a big indication that this teenager, who has been at the club since the age of eight, has the potential to be the real deal for United.

The defender has shown plenty of physicality at the back and despite his age does not shy away from tackles.

He has many years left to go to perfect his craft, but mixing in with the first team will do him a world of good.

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