Manchester United’s Youri Tielemans Transfer: Biggest Winners and Losers Explained

Manchester United’s Youri Tielemans Transfer: Biggest Winners and Losers Explained

Manchester United have finalized the £35 million signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, adding a major piece to Michael Carrick’s plans for the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils experienced a frustrating start to their recruitment campaign, with supporters disappointed after a move for long-term target Ederson collapsed at the final stage. Although United secured the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, the Atalanta midfielder had been viewed as the club’s primary option to succeed Casemiro in midfield.

Following that setback, United quickly turned their attention to Tielemans. The move has been widely viewed as a smart piece of business by a recruitment department that has often faced criticism in recent years.

Here’s a closer look at the biggest winners and losers following Tielemans’ arrival at Old Trafford.

Youri Tielemans’ 2025/26Premier League Statistics (Per 90 Minutes)

Winners From Manchester United Signing Youri Tielemans

Bruno Fernandes

During the first half of last season, before Michael Carrick took charge, Bruno Fernandes was frequently deployed in a deeper midfield role under Ruben Amorim. Although the Portuguese international continued to perform effectively, his influence increased noticeably after being moved into a more advanced position during the second half of the campaign.

One of the main reasons Amorim relied on Fernandes in a double pivot was United’s lack of progressive passing from midfield. His ability to move the ball forward from deeper areas became essential because few other midfielders could consistently break opposition lines.

Tielemans should significantly reduce that burden.

His exceptional range of passing allows him to advance possession from midfield, enabling Fernandes to remain higher up the pitch where he is most dangerous. Receiving progressive passes in advanced positions will allow the United captain to focus on creating opportunities and influencing attacks in the final third.

Among all of United’s players, Fernandes may benefit the most from having an elite midfield distributor alongside him.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo possesses many impressive qualities, but progressive passing has never been one of his strongest attributes. While the England international excels in several aspects of midfield play, consistently breaking defensive lines with ambitious passing remains an area for improvement.

Since establishing himself in Manchester United’s first team, Mainoo has lacked a midfield partner capable of assuming that creative responsibility.

Tielemans fills that role perfectly.

His presence allows Mainoo to concentrate on the qualities that define his game, including:

• Retaining possession under pressure
• Strong defensive work rate
• Intelligent movement in advanced areas
• Close control in tight spaces

The young midfielder has long needed a composed deep-lying playmaker alongside him, and Tielemans could finally provide that balance.

Losers From Manchester United Signing Youri Tielemans

Andrey Santos

Although Andrey Santos likely expected to begin his United career as part of the squad rotation, he probably did not anticipate another high-profile midfielder arriving so soon after his own transfer.

Tielemans also brings a unique skill set that differs considerably from Santos’.

The Belgian’s ability to progress play through passing is expected to become a key component of Carrick’s build-up system, making him an automatic selection in many matches.

As a result, Santos has one fewer position available to compete for.

Unlike Tielemans, the former Chelsea midfielder does not offer the same level of distribution or ball progression, meaning replacing the Belgian would significantly alter United’s style of play.

Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has long been regarded as one of Manchester United’s most reliable defenders when building play from the back.

However, that strength becomes less significant when an elite progressive passer operates directly ahead of him.

This shift could reduce the importance of Maguire’s passing contributions while also making team selection more dependent on his defensive performances.

If Carrick no longer requires Maguire’s distribution to initiate attacks, the defender will have fewer advantages over competing center-backs.

Adding to the challenge is one of Tielemans’ well-known weaknesses.

Despite his technical quality, the former Leicester City midfielder is not known for his athleticism or ability to cover large defensive spaces. He performs best when partnered with a physically dominant defensive midfielder.

Manchester United currently lack that type of player.

Consequently, Maguire could find himself defending larger areas and facing greater exposure due to the midfield’s reduced defensive protection.

Lisandro Martinez

Many of the same concerns also apply to Lisandro Martinez.

Like Maguire, Martinez’s excellent passing becomes slightly less influential with Tielemans providing progression from midfield.

More importantly, the Argentine defender may become increasingly vulnerable during defensive transitions because of the midfield’s lack of physical presence.

Last season, Casemiro’s aerial dominance and defensive strength helped compensate for Martinez’s comparative lack of height and effectiveness in aerial duels.

A midfield pairing of Tielemans and Mainoo does not offer the same level of physicality.

Against opponents featuring powerful target strikers, Martinez may receive less protection in front of the back line, making aerial battles and direct attacks more difficult to manage.

Statistics provided by FotMob (correct as of July 13, 2026).