(Image: Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)
A number of Manchester United fans attending their side's 1-1 draw in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon have slammed Youri Tielemans over an unseen incident.
Under Michael Carrick's leadership, United have now gone three matches without a win across all competitions, having also won just two of their seven matches in the 2026/27 campaign so far.
Pressure is building on the new permanent manager to turn things around, with 21 potential replacements already being drawn up. After such a promising interim stint at the start of the year, things are already going awry once again for the Old Trafford side after Matheus Cunha's 89th minute equaliser rescued a point against Alvaro Arbeloa's winless side.
However, the blame cannot land solely at his feet. The team's lack of desire is not only evident in the fact that the only team they have outrun this season was a Manchester City side reduced to 10 men after just half an hour, but was also on display in their latest signing's full-time actions.
Youri Tielemans Slammed Over Unseen Incident At Craven Cottage
Youri Tielemans via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Upon full-time in west London, the travelling United supporters booed their team, who had failed to look anywhere near up to scratch for a side whose ambitions belong in a battle for silverware.
The reaction as the referee blew his whistle was understandable, given the context of their season heading into the three-week international break. However, in response, Tielemans has been accused of telling his own supporters to shut up in a gesture seen by many in the stands.
The claim is given further credibility by Barney, editor of Red News Fanzine, who responded to another fan's acknowledgement of the incident by writing on X (see the full post below):
"[Youri] Tielemans was frustrated, as we all were, but this was poor from him. And I don’t think it ever does any good. Sums up there’s a disunity about, and it started with the club in the summer."
The Cottagers took the lead in the 63rd minute of Sunday's tie, with Lisandro Martinez unable to sort his feet out after Calvin Bassey's shot was palmed away by Senne Lammens, right into the defender's path.
Martinez directed the ball into his own net for a horror opening goal. And, in the end, it took a wicked deflection for Untied to spare their blushes and rescue a point, as Cunha's strike diverted away from the Fulham 'keeper's reach.
Tielemans' Pre-Season Comments About Lack of Energy Resurface
Youri Tielemans Man Utd
Youri Tielemans Man Utd
Interestingly enough, the problems Carrick's side face as they look to be struggling with their fitness levels early into the season, was something Tielemans - signed from Aston Villa for £35 million - appears well clued-up on.
During an appearance on Rio Ferdinand's podcast during pre-season, Tielemans was asked about what training had been like under Michael Carrick. After mentioning he’d been in the spa, Tielemans was further quizzed if he’d had a “hard session” in the morning.
Marcus Rashford and Michael Carrick shaking hands
Marcus Rashford and Michael Carrick shaking hands
As per The Sun, the former Leicester City star said: “Just sharp, that’s what it’s been like mostly.” When Ferdinand asked if there’d been “loads of running”, Tielemans grinned as he added: “No. When you come back from the World Cup, you don’t do lots of running. Just chill.”
In response, a shocked Ferdinand could only reply: “What?”. And it's clear to see that the United squad's energy levels have not been there this term, and it's a key issue holding them back as they drop into 12th in the Premier League table.