In an exclusive interview with Rio Ferdinand, Youri Tielemans has revealed the details behind his surprise move to Manchester United, discussing his first conversations with Michael Carrick and his early impressions of his new midfield partners. Tielemans explained that Carrick told him about his role and why the United boss sees similarities between them, highlighting the importance of controlling the tempo and taking responsibility in possession. The Belgian midfielder also discussed how he can help connect United’s defence with their attacking players, a crucial aspect of the team’s gameplay.
Tielemans gave his early assessment of his new midfield partners, discussing what Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andrey Santos can each bring to the team. He praised Bruno as a “nightmare” to play against, while noting that Mainoo can still improve and that Santos could give United’s midfield the security to attack with more freedom. The Belgium captain also shared some of the early details he’s picked up inside the United squad, including which player was first to message him after his move and the funniest player on the training pitch.
The midfielder opened up on playing alongside Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa, praising his commitment, attitude, and the qualities he can bring back to United. Tielemans reflected on becoming a Champions League player at just 16 and the advice he’d give to young players, including JJ Gabriel aged 15. He also discussed what he learned under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, highlighting the importance of experience and adaptability in the game. Additionally, Tielemans built his ultimate five-a-side team from the players he’s shared a pitch with, featuring Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Jamie Vardy.
Rio Ferdinand believes that Arsenal will not challenge for the Premier League title without a new striker signed, but the focus is now on Manchester United and their new signing. David Ornstein isn’t ruling out the possibility of Liverpool making further additions to their squad in the current summer transfer window, but for now, the attention is on Tielemans and his new teammates. The midfielder’s transfer has been seen as a major coup for United, with many pundits believing it’s a crucial signing for the club’s title ambitions. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Tielemans adapts to his new role and how he helps United achieve their goals.
The transfer window is still open, and there are many more surprises to come, but for now, the focus is on Manchester United and their new signing. Tielemans has already made a great impression on his teammates and the fans, and it will be exciting to see how he performs on the pitch. With his experience and skill, he is definitely a player to watch, and his transfer has been a great addition to the Manchester United squad.
