21 August 2026

Manchester United pulled off a major move this summer by bringing in Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. The Belgium midfielder arrives after an outstanding season with Villa, during which he helped the club win the Europa League.

The Red Devils had opened their summer business by signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea. INEOS made midfield their top priority after Casemiro left at the end of last season.

After missing out on targets such as Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, United turned their attention to a midfielder with proven Premier League pedigree and moved for Tielemans. The transfer was wrapped up quickly last month, and the Belgian made his pre-season debut for the Red Devils against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Tielemans also played against Leeds United and converted the decisive penalty as United sealed a 5-4 shootout victory. The former Leicester City player was involved against AC Milan too and, despite the loss, still caught the eye with his display.

Tielemans is an experienced professional and fully familiar with the demands of the Premier League, having spent more than seven seasons in England’s top flight. The Belgian has made close to 250 Premier League appearances and could prove to be an excellent addition to Michael Carrick’s squad.

INEOS’ decision to sign the 29-year-old marks a shift from their usual youth-focused recruitment strategy. In recent windows, the Red Devils have tended to target emerging players before they reach their peak rather than spend heavily on established stars.

But Casemiro’s departure left a gap in terms of experience inside the dressing room, leading the English giants to move for Tielemans. The Belgian captains his national side, and his leadership qualities, combined with his ability on the pitch, make him a valuable addition to the squad.

With United preparing for a demanding campaign that will also include Champions League football, Tielemans’ know-how and quality could be exactly what the side needs. Harry Maguire has now shared his view on the impact his new team-mate can make for the Red Devils.

Speaking to Stadium Astro, Maguire backed Tielemans to build a big future at Old Trafford. He said: “Yeah, he’s a top player, and he’s a player that we’re happy that he’s joined us and we’ve managed to take him away from Villa.”

“He’s going to have a big career for this club. I think he’s going to take no time in adapting. He’s used to the Premier League. He’s at an age now where he’s really experienced. He knows what it takes to play under big pressure. He’s the captain of Belgium.”

“So, he’s got everything going in his favour, and he’s just got to transfer his game, what he’s shown over the last few years, to this club, and if he does that, then yeah, of course, he’s going to be a huge asset.”

United are also close to signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion, which means Carrick’s midfield options are looking much stronger ahead of the new season. Even so, there is little doubt that Tielemans could turn out to be the English manager’s trump card in this campaign.