Manchester United are set to make Youri Tielemans their second midfield signing of the summer, and it’s exciting news for the club’s heritage.
The midfield revamp at Old Trafford needed a touch of experience and proven quality after signing Andrey Santos, who is just 22.
Youri Tielemans brings plenty of it at 29 as a player at the peak of his powers and with a playing style that fits nicely with the existing members of the Man Utd squad.
He pushes the youngsters at Carrington another spot down the pecking order, but the big picture is extremely promising.
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Youri Tielemans’ age shows Ineos’ trust in Carrington
Ineos have been clear in their transfer philosophy that they want to make the team younger, fitter, and faster by pivoting to players with resale value.
Tielemans is fit and fast, but he’s not a player Man Utd can sell in three years time on a profit when he’s already 29.
That’s where the club’s trust in the academy shines through, because just as Tielemans’ star will be on the decline, one of the many exciting players in the academy will be ready to step up.
United already have a lot of exciting midfield talent, from Jim Thwaites and Jacob Devaney to new arrival Cristian Orozco, and more.
Tielemans is at the perfect sweet spot where he slots straight into the XI and gives the team a much-needed immediate injection of quality.
At the same time, he doesn’t stand in the way of other young players who aren’t ready yet, but can learn from him before eventually taking over from him.
It’s the perfect move from a squad planning perspective, and keeps the youngsters at the club hungry as they see a clear pathway planned for them.
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While the academy youngsters should feel confident from the club as a result of this “win-now” move, it could also provide a hint about United’s next move in the market.
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Now that they have replaced the experience which left with Casemiro, United could be about to go for a third midfielder who is on the younger side again.
That is generally how Ineos have operated in the market. They signed Benjamin Sesko for the ST role after getting Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as proven players.
Santos is far from a proven commodity, but he and Tielemans complete the two PL players part of the rebuild, which leaves the options open for a foreign third signing.
Considering Tielemans’ age, he could be on the younger side. A surprise splash for Ayyoub Bouaddi, perhaps?
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