Former Manchester United star Alex Tuanzebe has switched his national team from England to DR Congo.
Affirming his new international allegiance, Tuanzebe posed with DR Congo national team manager Sebastien Desabre.
Currently playing as a center-back for Championship club Ipswich Town, Tuanzebe’s decision to ditch the England national team is linked to his inability to break into the Three Lions’ senior setup after his spell with the youth teams.
Before his hoodoo with the England senior national team, Tuanzebe played for England U19, U20, and U21 levels.
The 26-year-old was one of the promising young starlets tipped to break into the England setup following his mature and composed performances for Manchester United youth.
However, his senior career took a downturn after he was promoted to Man United’s first team in 2015. In his eight-year spell at Old Trafford, Tuanzebe had made only 19 Premier League appearances for Manchester United.
He was on loan away from United since 2018 playing for Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City before signing a permanent contract with Ipswich Town in 2023.
With his less-than-stellar senior career, he was definitely set for a tough ride trying to break into England’s senior setup despite his brilliant campaign at the youth levels.
The Manchester United academy graduate will be hoping to earn a regular spot with the Leopards of DR Congo as he switches his international allegiance.
Tuanzebe is the second DR Congo player who has fallen out of favor in the England setup despite a brilliant youth spell. Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is of DR Congo origin but has struggled to make an appearance for the Three Lions despite emerging through the England youth setup.
Unlike his compatriot Alex Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been called up severally for the England senior national team but has recorded 0 minutes with the team.
