Youri Tielemans on Manchester United Move and Adapting to New Role
Youri Tielemans has discussed his recent transfer to Manchester United, a move that came about in July while he was on World Cup duty. United triggered a £35m release clause to secure the midfielder from Aston Villa on a five-year deal. Tielemans noted that there had been previous discussions with the club in 2019 and 2022, but those did not result in a transfer.
The 29-year-old expressed gratitude towards Aston Villa, stating, “I owe them the world. It is a great club, we did amazing things, and they have put me back to my best level. But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.” He views the move as a significant achievement in his career, but also as a new beginning where he aims for success.
Adjusting to Old Trafford
Tielemans made his professional debut for Anderlecht at the age of 16 and has accumulated career appearances. He joined United after integrating with the squad during their pre-season tour, making his first appearance in a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg. He described adjusting to manager Michael Carrick’s vision as natural, akin to “smelling football.”
He explained Carrick’s approach: “He has got his structure. He wants to have the ball, he wants to press in certain ways.” Tielemans finds these principles logical, stating that for him, “nothing changes, but it just needs to gel together.” He believes that by following these principles, the team can effectively utilise offensive qualities, particularly in the final third.
A developing partnership with captain Bruno Fernandes has been observed, even during their limited time on the pitch together. Tielemans noted the natural connection, saying Fernandes “is a guy that can find space easily. I just try and find him so that he can move forward.”
Injury Management and Familiar Faces
Tielemans addressed concerns about his fitness after experiencing a hamstring issue during the warm-up before Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final against Spain in July. He clarified that the issue was due to an “overload of too many games; too many minutes,” rather than a recurring injury. He played 120 minutes against Senegal, followed by matches against the US and then Spain within a few days, which led to his body shutting down.
Despite a demanding schedule, Tielemans does not believe he requires extensive rest. He stated, “When I am good, I am good. When it does not go well, I will know straight away and I will alert the manager. But it does not happen often.”
Several familiar faces are helping Tielemans settle into his new environment. Former Leicester teammate Jonny Evans, now part of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff, has been a significant presence. Tielemans also briefly played with Harry Maguire at Leicester and was a teammate of Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa. He spoke positively about Rashford, highlighting his humility, hard work, and impressive touch and acceleration during their time at Villa.
Tielemans’ arrival is seen as potentially addressing a need for a scheming midfielder who can break defensive lines, a role that has been a focus for Manchester United since Carrick’s departure as a player in 2018. This could allow Fernandes more freedom further up the pitch and help the team control games more effectively.
Tielemans had a brief conversation with Carrick before finalising his move, and the past 10 days have provided further insight into the coach’s expectations. Carrick wants him to be free on the pitch and to organise the team as effectively as possible within the established structure.
Tielemans captained Belgium at the World Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain. He was unable to participate in that match due to his injury. Prior to that, he played a key role in Belgium’s campaign.
He also featured in Belgium’s round of 16 match against the US. Tielemans confirmed that he is ready for the new season, with no lingering injury concerns.
Source: bbc.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
