Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Youri Tielemans and Bruno Guimaraes will go head-to-head when Manchester United face Arsenal next season.
Manchester United struck a £35m deal for Youri Tielemans this summer, triggering a release clause in his Aston Villa contract to pull off a bargain signing.
Meanwhile, Premier League rivals Arsenal have also strengthened their midfield department, with David Ornstein reporting that a £75m agreement is in place for the Gunners to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
United were linked with Guimaraes earlier in the summer, but Tielemans was a bargain opportunity too good to turn down. Naturally, the two fanbases can now debate who got the better deal.
Youri Tielemans signs Manchester United contract
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Statistical comparison of Youri Tielemans and Bruno Guimaraes
Last season, Tielemans and Guimaraes were the heartbeat of Aston Villa’s and Newcastle’s midfields respectively.
Guimaraes outscored Tielemans with nine goals in the Premier League last season, but a deep dive into their statistics prove that United can be very pleased with their signing.
Tielemans is one year older than Guimaraes at 29 years old, but he also arrived in a deal £40m cheaper than the Brazilian.
Statistically, Tielemans comes out on top in defensive areas, beating Guimaraes in duels won, tackles won, interceptions and aerial duels won last season.
Guimaraes edges Tielemans in terms of his goal threat, key passes and touches in the box.
Youri Tielemans brings better balance to Man United’s midfield
United already have box-breaking midfielders in Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, who both prefer to play on the front foot and roam forward.
That is clearly where Guimaraes thrives, and he will add another goal threat to Arsenal’s midfield.
But what United needed this summer was a tempo-controlling midfielder who prefers to sit deep and dictate play, and that is exactly where Tielemans thrives.
READ MORE: Youri Tielemans shares major history with PSG ahead of potential Man Utd debut against Luis Enrique’s men
It is also surprising that Tielemans comes out on top in almost every defensive statistic, suggesting he offers more protection to United’s back line than Guimaraes would.
With Michael Carrick hoping to implement a possession-based style of play this summer, Tielemans was the right choice for United in the transfer market, and that’s before realising he cost less than half of Guimaraes’ fee.