Stats show why Tuanzebe should be first choice defender for Man Utd

Axel Tuanzebe TEAMtalk

Axel Tuanzebe is outperforming his fellow Manchester United defenders statistically, according to research by betting aggregator bettingexpert.com.

The data shows that Tuanzebe is doing better than Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in terms of tackles, blocks, goals conceded and more.

Tuanzebe was a surprise inclusion in Manchester United’s lineup for their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain during the week. After struggling with injuries for 10 months, he came back into the side and helped stop the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Against PSG, Tuanzebe won all of his aerial battles and made more clearances than any other player, with seven. Now, he could be in line for a first Premier League appearance since December 2019.

United face Chelsea at the weekend, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to think carefully about who he plays at the back. With Eric Bailly injured and Phil Jones not in their Premier League squad, Tuanzebe is in contention along with more regular starters Maguire and Lindelof.


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Between the trio, research from bettingexpert.com suggests Tuanzebe deserves to start. Comparing data from league games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became manager in December 2018, Tuanzebe’s stats – which include his time on loan at Aston Villa when they were in the Championship – make for impressive reading.

Since Solskjaer’s appointment as United boss, Tuanzebe has conceded just 11 goals in 14 appearances. He concedes on average 1.0 goals per 90 minutes, in comparison to Maguire’s 1.2 and Lindelof’s 1.1.

During the same time frame, Tuanzebe has recorded more tackles (1.0) and blocks (0.7) per game.

 

 

Maguire better in the air

One area in which club captain Harry Maguire does exceed his teammates is aerial duels. He wins 4.5 on average per match, whereas Lindelof wins 2.8 and Tuanzebe 2.7.

In addition, Maguire makes 4.4 clearances per 90 minutes. However, he also gives away more fouls than his teammates, at a rate of 0.9 per 90 minutes. Tuanzebe gives away 0.7, whereas Lindelof commits 0.6.

Overall, Tuanzebe has a positive record in stats, so could take to the field against Chelsea.

A BettingExpert spokesman said: “He may have been in the physio’s room for a long while, but Axel Tuanzebe’s stats are stellar in limited gametime since Ole took the wheel – beating his other two fit and available rivals in a number of departments.

“With poor old Victor Lindelof trailing his team mates in all categories aside from fouls conceded, our analysis suggests a pairing of forgotten man Tuanzebe and Harry Maguire is United’s best shot to shut out free-scoring Chelsea this weekend, who have already netted 13 times in 5 games this term.”

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