Paul Parker was unhappy to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer take out a young Manchester United star who wants to make it to the first team.
Paul Parker questioned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s treatment of Axel Tuanzebe following Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat vs Istanbul Basaksehir. Evidently, the defender was taken off in the second half in the Champions League clash, but this did not make Parker happy at all.
Tuanzebe returned to United’s starting line-up after a span of 10 months because of injury problems. Consequently, he featured in the European tournament in an away fixture with Paris Saint-Germain on October 20. The 22-year-old kept his composure throughout the game and managed to keep PSG stars such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria away from goal. The Red Devils grabbed the three points with a 2-1 victory against the French champions.
However, even after aiding his side win, Tuanzebe was put on the bench in the next three fixtures vs Chelsea, RB Leipzig, and Arsenal. And Solskjaer switched to his old choice of playing Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on the United backline.
Man looking for more minutes.
Though, Tuanzebe received another opportunity to prove himself in the latest Champions League outing in Turkey. Solskjaer & Co. hoped to continue their undefeated feat in the group stage, and, Basaksehir on the other hand needed some points.
The former England under-21 saw his side concede two goals in the first half, leading to substitutions during halftime. Scott McTominay subsequently replaced Tuanzebe, but United could not overturn the result to their side.
And, Parker expressed his frustration regarding Solskjaer’s decision to switch the defender. The ex-United star told Eurosport: “Everyone is going to make mistakes. But it’s the manner of the mistake that matters most. Fergie would scream and shout if there was an error, but he would notice how it had come about.
“To be caught out like that so early in the game is astounding. When you pay such huge sums for players, like Harry Maguire. You expect them to think for themselves and organize the side. Maguire didn’t do that.
“In the third phase of play as the attack broke down. You wonder why Maguire didn’t tell Axel Tuanzebe to drop back.
“You wonder if Henderson shouted to Nemanja Matic to tell him of the danger. Why did neither of those things happen? A mistake like that has never happened when David de Gea has been in goal.
“United weren’t gambling to score, it was poor communication. The team is looking for leadership from their captain, especially one who is a central defender.
“I am worried about Tuanzebe and how he has been treated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He had a great game against Paris Saint-Germain, then had no involvement until the next Champions League game.
“He got another opportunity last night and then got dragged off. I’d be concerned about how that will affect him mentally. He might wonder why he was subbed when he wasn’t at fault for the goal, and be looking at the £80 million captain alongside him.
“Taking Tuanzebe off could be a mammoth mistake in the long term.”
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