13 Jul 2026 11:14:38
Tielemans…There’s a turn up for the books. What do we think?
13 Jul 2026 11:39:45
Very good player, shrewd price. United moving in the dark again. I'm very happy with it.
13 Jul 2026 11:42:55
As a replacement for Ederson, I think this is a shrewd move. Good price, Premier League experience, and a quality player.
I would expect to still bring in at least one more, whether that is Kone or another, to add some height in the middle.
We are definitely moving differently this summer.
13 Jul 2026 11:43:25
I'm pleased. Good, solid, experienced head. Will give good experience to support Mainoo and Santos, having played in the upper areas of the league for the last couple of seasons. Played well in Europe. Very solid addition. I think he is a great option to have. Hopefully he settles in and does well.
13 Jul 2026 11:52:50
Agree totally, lads, talk we might look to Ederson again also but renegotiate the price. If we get 3 midfielders, that would be a great boost, especially at those prices. Basically 3 for just more than Fernandes lol.
13 Jul 2026 11:46:14
On the plus, EPL seasoned, solid performer, brings experience.
On the other hand, where did this come from, was it part of the plan or is it a knee jerk panic?
Take your pick.
13 Jul 2026 12:12:00
If it is for rotation and a back up to the Ederson failed transfer, then yes.
But we still need a starter to play alongside Mainoo.
Would be worried if we don’t make another signing in cm.
But time will tell.
Scott is still the one I hope we get.
Balaba, Kone, Wharton are the other names.
What I will say is United are releasing snippets, throwing the journalists off, then making signings quick out of nowhere for players no one has mentioned, and another player not on a lot of wages.
13 Jul 2026 12:12:19
He's a good footballer. Whenever I watched Villa, they always seemed to play better with him in the team. The other side of that was that he missed quite a few games with injury last season.
At the price, however, and with the much more intense schedule, he could prove to be an excellent signing, but I don't see him as someone who's going to fundamentally elevate the club.
13 Jul 2026 12:19:22
Ronnie would be pleased with this. He used to mention him every day.
13 Jul 2026 12:28:38
Very happy with this one if it happens. Completely out the blue. He's been a consistent performer for Villa. He also gets in and amongst the goals. I was a bit concerned that a few of the names we've been linked to are more defensive midfielders, so it would be good to find one who can add some creativity.
13 Jul 2026 12:51:16
Good player at a good price.
Not sold on Kone. His injury record isn't great.
13 Jul 2026 13:09:53
AJH, if this was the last week in the window, we could say panic.
This United hierarchy moves differently. My guess is that he was one of the many targets they have identified.
13 Jul 2026 13:09:55
Good player, happy with this signing. As others have said, he will add some much-needed experience in the middle of the park. Think it also suggests potentially the direction we will be looking to play under Carrick, and I actually think there are similarities between the two as players. Feels like a smart transfer again.
13 Jul 2026 13:53:53
I'm more excited about this than I was with Ederson. Prem proven, experienced, captain of Belgium, so adding a leader to the squad. A good value, floor-raising signing, imo.
Along with the Santos signing, this takes some pressure off us, looking for that third midfield recruit, and doesn't make us look as desperate, therefore not getting bent over.
I'm loving the way we're operating in the shadows. Have no idea who INEOS will surprise us with next.
13 Jul 2026 13:57:20
Shrewd without being inspiring. I still think we need to add Alex Scott and then I think that will give us a good midfield in terms of balance and choice.
13 Jul 2026 13:57:59
Good signing. We need some experience now after losing Casemiro. Very shrewd pickup for a buy-out fee that prevents any kind of negotiation with Villa. Happy to see some experience, it gives time for younger players to grow. He can play now, right away, in the first team.
You know what you will get, and Carrick can rely on him.
Was he always a plan, or did we shift to him down the lists? Not sure we'll ever know, but for price, experience and quality, it looks like a steal to me.
13 Jul 2026 11:44:50
Ed001 if I recall correctly, you did not rate Tielemans highly during his time at Leicester, was it something about his work rate or so.
If I am right, I wonder if your opinion of him has changed?
{Ed001's Note - he was what I call half-arsed at Leicester - would sprint forward and jog back, which is not what you want in the centre of midfield. However, at Villa he has actually put in effort chasing back as well and that was all he was really missing. The ability was there, but he was a passenger on the defensive side, under Emery that changed. If he keeps that up, he will be a good signing as he has a good passing range and he tends to make incisive passes as well - not sideways but forward. Just have to make sure he never lets his workrate drop.}
13 Jul 2026 14:38:37
Thanks for that Ed. :)
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}