Manchester United have signed Youri Tielemans on a long-term deal which will tie him down until his mid-30s - despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe being critical of that previously
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Manchester United have signed Youri Tielemans on a five-year deal - keeping the Belgian at the club until 34 despite criticism from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over similar deals in the past.
The Belgian has just completed a £35million move from Aston Villa to help address the team's issues in midfield. Tielemans arrives off the back of an impressive season at Villa Park, where he scored in the Europa League final back in May.
Tielemans will battle for a regular role at United, who have just seen Casemiro leave at the expiration of his contract. It bought an end to a contentious four years that saw the Brazilian praised and criticised in equal measure.
His arrival was questioned, given his age, but he was a big hit initially. Casemiro then endured a steep decline before finishing on a high. Ultimately though Ratcliffe used his transfer to question the recruitment policy in Manchester - but has pulled out a near similar deal for Tielemans.
It was reported that Ratcliffe questioned United’s transfer moves back March 2023 and cited the signing of Casemiro, who had been there less than a year, as an example of what he views as questionable recruitment.
The Inoes billionaire raised his view during a presentation given to him by the then United hierarchy. He raised concerns over the decision to go after midfielder who 30 years old and was given a four-year contract of about £350,000 a week.
Tielemans has admittedly not been given such substantial wages, but the 29-year-old has penned a five year deal which will keep him at the club until 34, the same age as Casemiro when he left.
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder #18 Casemiro celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Casemiro has resolved a clause in his Manchester United future(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
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Signing the Belgian does mean the club stick by their recruitment strategy, which worked for them last season, of bringing in players who have proved themselves in England's top flight. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both impressed in the Premier League before moving to Manchester - and replicated that form last term.
There was no need for an embedding process given they were accustomed to the demands of English football. Tielemans fits a similar bill, as does Andrey Santos, who has just signed from Chelsea and had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
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