MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick heaped praise on Youri Tielemans, explaining his great importance to the team.
The Belgian international has been a mainstay in the Premier League since making the move from Leicester City to Monaco in the summer of 2019. His four years in the East Midlands were followed by a memorable three-year spell at Aston Villa.
Last summer, the 29-year-old was part of Man Utd’s midfield rebuild alongside Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. INEOS triggered his £38 million release clause, so they didn’t have to negotiate a deal with the Villans.
Michael Carrick lauds Youri Tielemans for his composure
Youri Tielemans looking on
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Tielemans has been a regular feature in Carrick’s starting lineup since the start of the season. He mostly featured in his original role in the double pivot, but was occasionally deployed in a more advanced role behind the striker.
Like the rest of his MUFC teammates, the Belgian has been under scrutiny after some under-par displays. Nevertheless, Carrick insisted that Tielemans has been delivering exactly what the club had hoped for.
On Sunday, the midfielder will return to his old ground as Man Utd travel to Birmingham for a meeting against Unai Emery’s men.
(Tielemans apologising to Aston Villa fans)
Tielemans could be set for a hostile welcome, especially after making some comments that didn’t sit well with the Villa supporters when he stated that he moved to a bigger club.
Nevertheless, Carrick isn’t worried about the experienced midfielder, believing he possesses the mental strength to deal with the situation.
“He’s seen it before, done it before, kind of had that aura about him when he came on the pitch, and everyone kind of went with that,” he told MUTV as reported by the club’s official website.
“That’s why he’s here, because he can cope with those sorts of moments and knows what it feels like and calms everybody down. I thought he was really good.
“Obviously, a game against his old club, he’d be looking forward to that as well, but I was really pleased with him the other night.”
Tielemans has a major role to play at Man Utd this season
Bruno Fernandes celebrates with Youri Tielemans
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
In the same interview, Carrick acknowledged the key role Tielemans played in Wednesday’s come-from-behind victory over Roma, hailing his ‘fantastic’ outing.
The Belgian replaced the injured Carlos Baleba early in the second half. The team’s overall display almost immediately improved following his entry. Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel described it as a ‘game-changing’ performance.
“Dynamism” is contagious.
Idk if Carrick emphasized the need for more movement in his HT talk, but when one player shows a willingness to move for others, it often encourages those around him to do the same.
The 2nd-half improvement wasn’t a coincidence with Tielemans on the… https://t.co/E396k6wIDl
— Fathalli (@FathalliMo) November 4, 2026
With Baleba ruled out for several weeks and Santos struggling to convince since his July move, Man Utd will need Tielemans to be at his best if they’re going to stand a chance at turning things around.
The former Villa star isn’t necessarily the ideal midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, but these three will have to find a functioning formula, as Carrick doesn’t have a better option at this stage, at least until Baleba overcomes his physical struggles.
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