The talk surrounding transfers is often centred on youth and ‘potential’, but as Manchester United are no doubt aware, experience and proven quality are just as important for any successful side.
Just look to last season, with much of United’s improvement under Michael Carrick having been built around a core of senior players, with that spine proving integral in dragging the club back into the Champions League.
Luke Shaw started every Premier League game, while Casemiro bowed out with nine goals in a stellar final season at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire, meanwhile, enjoyed a real resurgence in 2026, as captain fantastic Bruno Fernandes also boasted a record-breaking campaign for assists.
Throwing the 29-year-old Youri Tielemans into the mix then could prove another astute deal for the club this summer.
Why Tielemans is such a good signing for Man Utd
INEOS’ priority did appear to be to invest in long-term signings, be it Elliot Anderson or Mateus Fernandes, yet with Casemiro no longer on the books, a new midfield leader remained a priority.
Well, Tielemans certainly fits the bill in that regard, the Aston Villa playmaker having led out Belgium as captain this summer, ahead of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.
A former teen sensation at Anderlecht, the experienced midfielder has already racked up 579 career club appearances, alongside a further 90 caps for his country.
From Belgium to France and then to England, his career has risen superbly, notably scoring the goal to secure Leicester City’s first-ever FA Cup win in 2021, while also netting the opener in Villa’s 3-0 triumph over Freiburg in this year’s Europa League final.
At 29, he might not be the athletic, combative signing that was expected, but there’s an elegance to his game that is to be admired, set to provide a sense of control that United simply haven’t had in their midfield unit, stretching back to the days of Paul Scholes or Carrick himself.
He’s been a delight to watch at Villa Park since signing from Leicester on a free in 2023, notably swooping both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2025.
That season saw him rank in the top 5% of midfielders for through ball passes per 90, as well as in the top 4% for big chances created from open play, highlighting just what a truly progressive operator he is in that deep-lying role.
|
Tielemans – last two PL seasons |
||
|---|---|---|
|
24/25 |
Stat (*per game) |
25/26 |
|
36 (35) |
Games (starts) |
25 (21) |
|
3 |
Goals |
0 |
|
7 |
Assists |
4 |
|
16 |
Big chances created |
5 |
|
1.7 |
Key passes* |
1.3 |
|
86% |
Pass accuracy* |
85% |
|
0.9 |
Succ. dribbles* |
0.4 |
|
2.9 |
Tackles & interceptions* |
3.0 |
|
5.4 |
Total duels won* |
5.2 |
|
12.4 |
Ball lost* |
10.2 |
A statement signing then, and hopefully a sign of things to come this summer.
Man Utd in “formal talks” to seal third summer signing
With Andrey Santos already in the building, and with Tielemans set to follow, all being well, United do appear to be clicking into gear after a relatively slow start to the window.
Another midfield move appears likely, although there are also further areas to address, with the left flank likely to require reinforcement heading into next season.
There has been talk of a reintegration for Marcus Rashford, although the expectation remains that the Englishman will be on his way at some stage, after 18 months out on loan.
One man who could arrive in his place is West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, with journalist Ben Jacobs – speaking on the Last World on Sports podcast – outlining that “formal talks” have been held regarding a deal for the Dutchman.
“Spurs and Manchester United both like Summerville. Now he’s back from the World Cup, I think an exit is possible.
“West Ham’s perspective is that they don’t really feel a need financially to sell, but there’ll be the player’s position to consider and Summerville doesn’t want to be playing in the Championship.
“So, I can see this deal happening and if Rashford is sold, then Manchester United, who have already started formal talks, are ones to watch.”
Summerville – who should fetch in the region of £50m – could represent a real coup for INEOS, potentially more so than even Tielemans, with the 24-year-old having looked so impressive in 2026, in particular.
Tielemans’ quality is evident and proven, but there is an excitement surrounding the West Ham man, a feeling that he is ready to explode if he is to seal a marquee move in the near future.
The former Leeds United man scored five times in the back end of last season for the Hammers, while also racking up four goals and assists in just four World Cup appearances, only two of which came from the start.
His effort in the group stage opener against Japan was delightful, as the fleet-footed winger bent the ball into the far corner from range, prior to leaping into the arms of Netherlands assistant coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
He’s a box of tricks, a real game-changer of a player, someone who can prove a true threat to Carrick’s current options on either flank, not least the aforementioned Rashford.
Indeed, in 2025/26, for instance, Summerville ranked ninth in the division for successful dribbles completed, with Cunha the highest United player on the list in 13th.
Of course, Summerville doesn’t boast the same wealth of experience as Tielemans, yet at 24, there’s still plenty of time for him to kick on and develop even further.
Tielemans might be a short-term move, but Summerville could light up Old Trafford for the long term.
As he showed with his 28 goals and assists in the Championship in 2023/24 for Leeds, there is sparkling talent there to be nurtured, with Manchester hopefully the place where he will kick on and thrive over the coming years.
