The summer presented Manchester United with the opportunity for a midfield rebuild.
While they didn’t quite get their hands on their top targets, in signing Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, it proved to be a successful summer.
In a ridiculously inflated market, the Red Devils had sought bargains over the Elliot Andersons of this world. Considering how United have rashly overspent in years gone by, the tactic was actually an admirable one.
Why Man Utd signed Tielemans
United’s number one target this summer was that man Anderson. However, it quickly became rather apparent that he was going to cost over £100m.
He ultimately headed to City to the tune of £116m, breaking the transfer record for an English player until Morgan Rogers went to Chelsea for £117m.
INEOS, Jason Wilcox and Co also had their eyes on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes but they ended up at Tottenham Hotspur instead.
So, United looked at Tielemans instead. The Belgian had been a mightily consistent figure for Aston Villa and was brought to Old Trafford for a £35m fee. They had exposed a little-known release clause in the process.
This was much better value than other midfielders who moved across the summer.
Yet, it wasn’t just the fee that attracted United to the deal. Tielemans was one of the best midfielders in the division during his stint with Aston Villa. He’s classy on the ball, press-resistant, and he pops up with the odd goal and assist too.
This felt like smart business for a canny player with Premier League experience. It certainly made more sense than signing the less-proven Ederson from Atalanta.
Why Tielemans is a problem after Spurs
Initially, Tielemans looked like a strong signing. His combination play with Bruno Fernandes was exciting. He looked like someone who could knit play together better than Casemiro.
However, his outing against Tottenham on Saturday evening raised huge question marks about his long-term future in Michael Carrick’s midfield.
That’s because his partnership alongside Kobbie Mainoo looked like the biggest weak link in this team. While Mainoo is capable of moving the ball on quickly and progressing it, Tielemans looked like the worst of Casemiro.
Slow, unable to progress play and timid, it was a performance that gave United supporters nightmares. Gary Neville wasn’t a fan either.
Talking on Sky Sports after the game, he said: “Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we’ve seen enough of it now. I’m not calling time on it because that’s probably too drastic but I’ve seen enough to think that’s not a midfield that’s dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League.”
|
Tielemans vs Spurs |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
59 |
|
Touches |
43 |
|
Accurate passes |
21/26 (81%) |
|
Chances created |
0 |
|
Shots |
0 |
|
Defensive contributions |
18 |
|
Tackles |
5 |
|
Recoveries |
13 |
|
Ground duels won |
9/12 |
|
Top speed |
30.8 km/h |
That lack of dynamism was a huge problem. Tielemans didn’t even last the hour before he was hauled off. The Belgian did win nine of his 12 duels and made 13 recoveries, but he lost possession every six minutes. He was also recorded as the 15th slowest player on the pitch, while he only sprinted 114m in the whole game.
The only United starters who were worse in that regard were Matheus Cunha and Mainoo; that tells the story of just how poor United’s midfield was on Saturday.
How Man Utd can replace Tielemans
Tielemans’ performance over the weekend was made all the more worrying by the fact that the midfield has been a problem position for United for a while.
Sure, they had Casemiro bounding about last season. They also had Fernandes in the form of his life. However, until Carrick reinstated Mainoo in the middle of the park, there were big issues under Ruben Amorim.
While the performance level on Saturday night was not quite at the level we saw under the Portuguese, it was a big concern. Fortunately, there is a remedy.
Andrey Santos has been the other contender so far this season, but at the weekend, we got a glimpse of Man United’s new Paul Pogba and he looked simply marvellous.
Pogba had his haters at United but to many, he is remembered fondly in these parts for his dazzling displays. This is a player who once contributed as many as 16 goals in one campaign for the Red Devils.
While it ultimately all ended in tears, his ball carrying and ability to break up play made him so special. Well, in Baleba, the second coming of Pogba may well have arrived in Manchester.
His 31-minute cameo off the bench – his debut for United – turned out to be rather good indeed.
In truth, anyone would have stood out compared to Tielemans but the authority with which Baleba played was first-class. He had just 11 fewer touches than Tielemans and registered eight carries. He really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and carried his team forward.
That should come as no surprise to those who know about him. After all, the player himself has already admitted that he looks up to Pogba.
Naming the five players he is inspired by, the 22-year-old once said: “Kevin De Bruyne, Paul Pogba, Thiago Alcantara, Xavi, Andres Iniesta – so many others. So I’ve got the knack of doing something with the ball at my feet.”
It was a hugely promising first display and one that should see Tielemans bumped to the bench on Tuesday when they face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.