Tuanzebe & Pereira Buoyed By Debuts

Axel Tuanzebe and Joel Pereira will be even hungrier for more action after making their senior Manchester United debuts in the victory over Wigan on Sunday and the pair have received praise from two players who understand the enormity of the experience.

Jesse Lingard made his first-team bow two and a half years ago, at home to Swansea, while Tim Fosu-Mensah was given his opportunity in last season's memorable 3-2 win over Arsenal.

Lingard and Fosu-Mensah are pleased for their young team-mates and believe Sunday's milestone will act as a real incentive for their progression.

"Being introduced to the crowd at Old Trafford is a great feeling and it will be more motivation for them," Lingard told MUTV. "They’re both homegrown players, which is always a bonus.

"I thought Axel did very well. He’s got the physique and the pace to handle things at this level. He’s done very well under Nicky Butt for the Reserves so he deserves his chance and he took it well."

Fosu-Mensah agreed, adding: "I was very happy for Axel and I think he deserves it. He’s a very good player and he was one of the first in the squad at the start of the season. He couldn’t continue because of injuries, but he’s back now and I’m very happy for him."

Tuanzebe revealed after the 4-0 win over the Latics that Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been shouting encouragement from the dug-out before he came on, and Lingard and Fosu-Mensah say the advice and backing the senior players give the youngsters is invaluable.

"When I came through we had Wayne and Carras and they helped me through those moments. Zlatan was having a bit of fun with Axel and giving him advice and that will have helped him to relax a bit," explained Jesse.

"I’ve learnt a lot from the senior players," continued Fosu-Mensah. "Michael, Wayne and now Zlatan. As a young player you learn from all of them.

"Zlatan likes to advise us and also joke around. He gives me great advice. He’s a great person to learn from, as are Wayne, Michael and Bastian."