Replacing Paul Pogba was easier on paper than it was on the pitch for Manchester United, writes Transfer News Blitz‘s Joseph Kan’gethe.
Since the Frenchman left Old Trafford in 2022, Man United have tried different midfield profiles, but none has consistently offered the same blend of progressive passing, composure, and control required to dictate matches.
While Bruno Fernandes has remained the team’s creative heartbeat, too much of Manchester United’s attacking play has depended on his individual brilliance.
That search has now led to Youri Tielemans.
After failing to secure the signature of the Belgian on three previous occasions, the Red Devils have finally landed Tielemans at Old Trafford on a deal worth a reported £35 million from Aston Villa.
The transfer raises an important question, though.
Can Tielemans finally be the missing piece in Manchester United’s midfield, or will the search for the ideal successor to Pogba continue?
Why Manchester United targeted Tielemans
Tielemans has been on Man United’s radar for years.
They first had the chance to sign the Belgian in 2019 from AS Monaco, but he chose Leicester City rather than waiting for Manchester United to make a move.
Three years later, with his contract running down, Man United explored the possibility again before turning their attention to Frenkie De Jong and eventually signing Casemiro.
In 2023, Tielemans became available on a free transfer following Leicester’s relegation, yet Man United prioritised Mason Mount, allowing a move to the West Midlands to join Aston Villa.
The fourth time has proved to be the charm for Manchester United.
Villa accepted a reported £35 million offer as they reshaped their squad.
Carrick, meanwhile, identified Tielemans as the experienced and technically gifted midfielder capable of bringing greater control to the Red Devils’ engine room.
His Premier League pedigree, ability to orchestrate possession under pressure, and progressive passing made him a natural fit for Carrick’s midfield rebuild and a recruitment strategy increasingly focused on proven quality rather than potential alone.
How Tielemans changes Manchester United’s build-up play
If Carrick wants Manchester United to control matches through possession, Tielemans is the perfect midfielder capable of setting the tempo.
Man United have lacked a midfielder capable of controlling games in recent seasons.
Too often, their attacks have become too rushed instead of being built patiently through the centre of the pitch.
Tielemans solves that problem because he is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, is press-resistant, and can control the pace of play.
His passing range also gives the Red Devils another dimension.
Whether it’s switching play to release a full-back, threading line-breaking through-balls, or recycling possession to maintain pressure, Tielemans has the awareness to make the right decisions at the right moments.
His long-range shooting ability only adds to his value, forcing defenders to close him down, which creates more space for his teammates.
There are, however, areas Carrick will have to manage.
Defensive transitions could expose Tielemans’ lack of recovery pace.
Pairing him with a more athletic ball-winner like Andrey Santos will allow him to focus on his strengths, particularly controlling possession and progressing the ball through the thirds, giving Mancester United the midfield authority they have lacked since Pogba’s departure.
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Which midfield partnership gets the best out of Tielemans?
The success of Tielemans on the red side of Manchester will depend as much on the players around him as his own performances.
Carrick is unlikely to ask the 29-year-old to cover large areas of the pitch on his own.
Instead, pairing him with a more athletic midfielder like Santos would give Manchester United the balance they have lacked in recent seasons.
While Santos focuses on winning duels and shielding the defence, Tielemans can concentrate on progressing the ball and setting the tempo.
That partnership would also allow Bruno Fernandes to operate higher up the pitch where his creativity and movement around the penalty area are most effective.
Rather than dropping deep to collect possession, Fernandes could receive the ball closer to the final third, increasing Man United’s attacking threat.
The impact would extend beyond midfield.
Full-backs would receive quicker switches of play, while the wingers and the striker would receive more accurate passes into dangerous areas.
Out of possession, Santos’ defensive work would compensate for Tielemans’ lack of recovery pace, allowing the Belgian to hold his position instead of chasing runners across the pitch.
Tielemans is not another Pogba, nor does he need to be.
What he offers is control, composure, and progressive passing that Man United have failed to replace since Pogba’s departure, which are also the qualities that could finally give Carrick’s midfield a stable foundation.
Manchester United’s midfield hierarchy after Tielemans’ arrival
Tielemans’ arrival gives Carrick a welcome starting XI selection dilemma.
His experience and consistency make him a strong candidate to start regularly, although it doesn’t guarantee him a place in the starting XI.
Carrick now has the flexibility to tailor his midfield depending on the opponent and the demands of each competition.
The biggest challenge falls on players already competing for central midfield spots.
Manuel Ugarte faces even greater competition for minutes, while Kobbie Mainoo’s development will need to be managed carefully to ensure regular playing time.
Supporters should also set realistic expectations.
Tielemans is unlikely to transform Manchester United overnight or produce spectacular moments every week.
His influence will be more subtle, reflected in improved control, cleaner build-up play, and greater consistency across the season.
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Is Tielemans the missing piece?
Tielemans has already proved he can deliver on the biggest stage.
His stunning strike against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final secured Leicester City’s first triumph in the competition, and still remains one of the finest goals ever scored at Wembley.
He has also won a Europa League with Aston Villa, and captained Belgium in the 2026 World Cup, showing his experience, leadership, and winning mentality.
Man United have signed players with bigger reputations before.
This time, the success of the deal may depend less on star power and more on whether Tielemans can finally give Mancester United the midfield control they have missed since Pogba’s departure.
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