Tielemans Set for First Match Against Former Club Aston Villa
Youri Tielemans is set to face Aston Villa after joining Manchester United in a summer move that has drawn scrutiny amid United’s difficult season. Manager Michael Carrick praised Tielemans’ impact as a substitute in the Champions League comeback win over Roma, while Villa manager Unai Emery said the midfielder may need time to adapt.
Youri Tielemans is set to face Aston Villa for Manchester United after joining the club in a £35million summer move, with the midfielder’s former team ahead of United in the Premier League. The match gives Tielemans his first chance to play against Villa since leaving.
Tielemans said after arriving at Old Trafford that “there are still clubs above Aston Villa and Manchester United is one of them.” The reported league gap has since put that boast under scrutiny.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praised Tielemans’ performance as a substitute in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League comeback win over Roma. The victory ended United’s nine-game winless run.
“In the circumstances, he was absolutely fantastic,” Carrick said of the midfielder’s cameo, praising his experience and leadership. Tielemans was on the pitch for all of United’s goals against Roma.
United signed Tielemans after a deal for Ederson collapsed and the club triggered the release clause in his contract. The move brought the midfielder from Villa to Old Trafford in the summer.
Villa manager Unai Emery said Tielemans needed time to adapt when he joined the club from Leicester in 2023. He backed the midfielder’s mentality ahead of the reunion.
“He’s a fantastic player but when he was here, he needed time to adapt to us,” Emery said. He added that Tielemans would “fight with his qualities and mentality” if selected against Villa.
Tielemans has played in several midfield roles for United, including alongside Kobbie Mainoo and as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes in the No. 10 position. He was benched for matches against Chelsea and Roma before coming on against Roma.
United have also used him alongside Andrey Santos. Tielemans partnered Santos in the opening weekend defeat to promoted Hull, a 2-0 loss.
Carrick has said the pressure of recent weeks has affected players regardless of age. He described mindset, mentality and confidence as a large part of how elite athletes handle the demand to perform.
Tielemans previously apologized for his comments about United being a bigger club. He helped Villa qualify for the Champions League twice and scored in their Europa League final triumph over Freiburg in May.
