Tielemans cameo against PSG hints at Man Utd future
Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United on a deal running until June 2031
The sample size was only 26 minutes.
Yet the little combinations between Youri Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes after both were introduced in the second half of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg drew an appreciative response from senior figures at the club.
With much made of United’s activity - or lack of - in the transfer market this summer, it was good timing that Tielemans could make his debut when Mason Mount, arguably the club’s player of pre-season, needed to be replaced after just 20 minutes.
Head coach Michael Carrick told Norwegian broadcaster VG post-match that Mount had come off as a precaution after taking a hefty blow to his foot. The former Chelsea midfielder walked freely past reporters to the team bus an hour after the final whistle.
Nevertheless, Tielemans was a surprise signing when Manchester United triggered a previously unknown £35m clause in the Belgian’s contract at Aston Villa to agree a five-year deal.
There was a lot of debate in the immediate aftermath about how much football the 29-year-old, who made his professional debut for Anderlecht when he was just 16, had played.
It obscured his talent.
Against PSG he did not do anything particularly special.
There were a couple of 45-yard cross-field passes that found their intended targets. There were some simple first-time lay-offs to team-mates within 10 yards.
There was also a short sprint just outside the United area to close down dangerman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia when Tielemans recognised the PSG star could be about to take possession within shooting distance.
He got there, won the ball and played a simple pass, taking the ball out of harm’s way.
This isn’t really what got the United contingent purring.
They were reacting to the little passes between Tielemans and Fernandes, which allowed United to ease their way out of trouble or move up the pitch.
Fernandes was the key man last season as United finished third. Nine goals and 21 assists was a decisive contribution in returning the club to the Champions League after a two-year absence.
Tielemans showed in his brief cameo he can take some of the pressure off the Portuguese.
“Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years,” said director of football Jason Wilcox on Tielemans’ signing.
“He will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad.”
“He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United.”
If Wilcox reflects on those words as United head off to the Republic of Ireland for their week-long training camp in Maynooth, he can be quite pleased with himself.
It was only 26 minutes, but on that evidence, he has got it spot on.
Carrick has confirmed Marcus Rashford will rejoin the Manchester United squad for their trip to the Republic of Ireland.
Rashford, England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo and Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez are the final three players to return for United after the World Cup.
Although it was not expected Rashford would return to the club when he joined Barcelona on loan in July 2025, the La Liga champions failed to trigger a £26m option to buy the 28-year-old at the end of the season.
Despite interest elsewhere, there has been no deal, meaning Rashford will return to United for the first time since January 2025, when he moved to Aston Villa after falling out with former manager Ruben Amorim.
United are training at the plush Carton House hotel in Maynooth and have a friendly with Leeds United at Croke Park on 12 August.
They complete their pre-season programme against Amorim’s new club AC Milan in Wroclaw on 15 August, when Rashford could make his first United appearance since December 2024 if Carrick decides Wednesday is too soon.
A former team-mate, coach and manager of Rashford, it has been felt if anyone can patch up the relationship between club and player - which includes his number 10 shirt being given to Matheus Cunha who is also due to be on the trip after a minor injury ruled him out of the Gothenburg encounter - it is Carrick.
“I’ve played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history,” Carrick said.
“We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together. Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie [Mainoo] and Lisandro [Martinez]. We look forward to seeing them.”
