Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe relishing the pressure of playing for Jose Mourinho
* Axel Tuanzebe made his sixth appearance for Manchester United on Tuesday
* The defender helped United to a 2-0 win at Swansea in the Carabao Cup last 16
* After the game, he praised Jose Mourinho and the pressure he puts on his team
* Tuanzebe explained: 'Dealing with that pressure makes you a better player'
Manchester United teenager Axel Tuanzebe is thankful for the 'burden' of playing under Jose Mourinho.
Academy product Tuanzebe started United's final four Premier League games last season as manager Mourinho rotated his squad amid Europa League commitments.
But the England Under-20 international had to wait until Tuesday's 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Swansea for his first taste of senior action this term.
Tuanzebe produced an impressive performance alongside Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof in a three-man defence as United bounced back from their shock weekend league defeat at Huddersfield.
'There's nothing better than playing for Manchester United - playing for a big manager and a big club,' said Congo-born Tuanzebe, who turns 20 next month.
'There's nothing more rewarding as a young lad coming through.
The young defender helped United to a 2-0 win at Swansea in the Carabao Cup round of 16. After the game, Tuanzebe praised boss Jose Mourinho and the pressure he puts on his players. Tuanzebe was composed in possession as he and his team-mates played out from the back
'Every day you are learning. We've got Jose Mourinho as our manager, and you can't ask for a bigger manager.
'Under him there's a lot of pressure and you have to perform.
'But dealing with that pressure makes you a better player - I've got that burden on me.'
Tuanzebe combined diligent defending with composure on the ball on Tuesday evening.
It was his powerful surge from the back and crossfield ball to Matteo Darmian which led to Swansea being killed off by Jesse Lingard's second goal.
And the Rochdale-raised youngster admitted the presence of fellow academy products Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay helped him on his return to first-team action.
Tuanzebe told MUTV: 'I've gone a long period of time without playing football.
'So you just kind of ease your way into the game and build confidence with every touch.
'It makes it easier to have faces you know on the pitch and they guide you through it as well.
'You're not the only youngster out there, which is satisfying, but it's all about the team performance and we did a good job.'
Swansea's cup exit was their fifth home defeat of the season, and the storm clouds appear to be gathering at the Liberty Stadium.
Paul Clement's side are only outside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference ahead of the daunting weekend trip to Arsenal.
But Ki Sung-yueng, who started for the first time this term against United following knee surgery, said: 'If we win one game, the pressure will change quickly.
'It has been disappointing in front of the fans because we want to play better football and win games.
'We have to overcome this situation quickly but I believe the players in this squad can handle this pressure.
'We have to try and be consistent, but I fully believe we have enough with the manager and the players to settle down quickly.'
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