Dwight Yorke has shared his verdict on Youri Tielemans’ move to Manchester United, while also urging his former club to sign another midfielder he believes is destined for the very top.
Manchester United have made significant progress in the transfer market this week, with Andrey Santos signing from Chelsea before Karl Darlow joined as a free agent.
The next addition in line is Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after United activated a £35m release clause in his contract.
Tielemans’ deal prompted a positive reaction from most United fans, although there is still a strong belief that Michael Carrick needs more additions in midfield.
Man Utd are set to sign YOURI TIELEMANS from Aston Villa? What is your REACTION?
How much is Youri Tielemans worth? How would he fit in?
Dwight Yorke verdict on Youri Tielemans
Tielemans will become the next footballer to have played for both Villa and United following his move to Old Trafford.
A retired footballer who can say the same is Dwight Yorke.
Yorke enjoyed success at both United and Villa.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Yorke won three Premier League titles and was part of the iconic Treble-winning side in 1999.
The former Trinidad & Tobago striker also won the League Cup at Villa in 1996 before signing for United in 1998.
Yorke has told BOYLE Sports that Tielemans is a solid player and that he prefers him to other options except Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi.
“He [Tielemans] is a very solid player who has the experience of playing in the Premier League, and he captains his national team,” Yorke said.
“I prefer him ahead of other options, except for Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco. He would be my first choice.”
Yorke added that Bouaddi, whom he describes as the ‘midfield equivalent of Kylian Mbappe’, is the only midfielder United should be spending £100m on.
“If you’re spending £100 million on a player, you want to be signing the midfield equivalent of Kylian Mbappe, for instance. Then you pay whatever and your money disappears but you know what you’re going to get. You’re seeing it with your own eyes.
“Bouaddi from Morocco, the young kid, he is that player. I watched him closely at this World Cup and he looked remarkable in games like against Brazil. He is young. He is a real project.
“I would spend money on Bouaddi because he has the potential to be the best in the world. Outside of Bouaddi, there is nobody else making me think wow, there’s £100 million worth of player here.
“I don’t know where these figures have suddenly come from. It’s a consistent thing now for anybody who is half decent to be valued at £100 million. That’s the market. But you’ve got to be exceptional when you’re a player worth £100 million and up. Are you really telling me that Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and the rest of them are exceptional players? They’re good players. That’s all. I can’t get my head around it.
“A £100 million player should be somebody who does things that no other players can do on the planet but unfortunately £100 million is just a drop in the ocean now in this sport. Clubs are looking at players worth £100 million and saying we’ll pay that. Really? I just don’t think they are worth it as midfielders apart from Bouaddi who has huge potential.
“He is the player you invest the money into rather than spending £100 million on Anderson and others like him.
“They’re good players and they will make United look more solid but for that kind of money I expect a player who does more than make the team look more solid. As a manager you’ve got to be looking for the players who are going to improve your squad, improve your team, and take your club to the next level.”
- ⚡ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Dwight Yorke believes Youri Tielemans is a solid signing for Manchester United
- The former United striker also urged United to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille
- United have also signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £48m deal
WHO will be Man Utd’s THIRD midfielder signing to go with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans? Who do you want?
Which midfielder do you think would fit United's rebuild best? What do we need next?
What is the latest on Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Bouaddi has been one of the best-performing young stars at the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco crashed out in the quarter-finals after losing 2-0 against France, with Bouaddi starting all five matches at the age of 18.
According to The Athletic, Man City are pushing hard to sign Bouaddi, with Lille willing to sell if their valuation is met.
Bouaddi’s price tag is understood to be in the region of £85m, which is the same price Tottenham paid to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham earlier in the window.
The report also claims that United have been among the teams to have been in contact with Bouaddi’s camp over the past year.
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