Axel Tuanzebe rose through Manchester United’s academy and spent eight years in the first team before moving to Ipswich Town. During his time at Old Trafford, he played alongside some of football’s biggest stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Despite being teammates with these legends, Tuanzebe revealed that the best player he ever played with was Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German midfielder only spent 18 months at United, but his influence in training left a lasting impression.
Tuanzebe made just 37 senior appearances for United and spent most of his time on loan at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City. In 2023, he joined Ipswich Town under former United coach Kieran McKenna, helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League.
Schweinsteiger’s Unmatched Football Intelligence
Speaking on The Overlap, Tuanzebe recalled how difficult it was to compete against Schweinsteiger in training. Even at 34 or 35 years old, the German was several steps ahead of younger players. Tuanzebe, who was 19 at the time, admitted he couldn’t get anywhere near him.
Schweinsteiger’s ability to control the ball and dictate play made him stand out, even among elite players. Tuanzebe described how the midfielder could slow the game down and make opponents lose their balance effortlessly.
Despite training with football icons like Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Ashley Young, and Michael Carrick, Tuanzebe said Schweinsteiger’s intelligence and composure made him the best he had ever played with.
A Short but Memorable United Spell
Schweinsteiger was considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, winning multiple titles with Bayern Munich and helping Germany secure the 2014 World Cup. His move to United in 2015 was seen as a major signing, but his time at the club was short-lived.
Despite his talent, he struggled for regular game time and was eventually frozen out by Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager banished him from first-team training, marking an unfortunate end to his United career.
Schweinsteiger left United in 2017 to join Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. He retired two years later, but his impact at United remained strong, with players like Tuanzebe still praising his influence.
A Lasting Impression on Tuanzebe
Tuanzebe’s admiration for Schweinsteiger highlights how great players can leave a lasting impact, even in a short period. Despite spending less than two years at Old Trafford, Schweinsteiger’s intelligence and skill were unforgettable.
For Tuanzebe, training with the German legend was an eye-opening experience. He saw firsthand how a world-class midfielder could control a game without relying on speed or physicality.
While Schweinsteiger’s United career may not have been a success, his reputation among those who played with him remains untarnished. His ability to outthink opponents and dominate in midfield left a lasting mark on Tuanzebe’s career.