Manchester United 1-0 Astana : 5 Things we learned from the game | UEFA Europa League 2019/20

#3 Axel Tuanzebe staked his claim at center-back

Tuanzebe was solid at the back

Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe started together for United at centre-back as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were rested. It is fair to say that the two English defenders were pretty good at the back as they helped United keep a clean sheet.

Tuanzebe got his opportunity to start after a long time and he was pretty calm and composed at the back. He started a shade nervously but grew into the game as time went on. The Englishman's positioning was the highlight of his play as he stopped potential Astana counter-attacks by cutting off passing angles.

His centre-back partner Jones, on the other hand, didn't put a foot wrong in the entire game. His calmness on the ball was there for all to see, while his clever interceptions also stood out. Jones has fallen down the pecking order since United signed Maguire and the Englishman needs to start performing like this on a regular basis if he is to start all the more important games.

Tuanzebe though has got a real chance to displace Lindelof as United's first team centre-back as the latter hasn't been in great form lately.