Jamie Carragher's Warning on Man Utd's Tielemans Deal: The Wrong Move?
Manchester United have reshaped Michael Carrick’s squad with six new arrivals this summer, but one of those signings has sparked a sharp warning from Jamie Carragher.
For the former Liverpool defender, United backed the wrong horse in midfield.
Carragher: Fernandes should have been the one
United had Mateus Fernandes on their radar earlier in the window. Tottenham did more than look: they agreed a deal with West Ham United worth a guaranteed £85m, without add-ons. When the numbers hit that level, United stepped away.
Carragher thinks that was a mistake.
“I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing,” he said on The Overlap Fan Debate. “I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn't go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive but was it that expensive?
“I know £85m is a lot but you’re never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50m.”
United chose a different route. They swooped on Aston Villa to land Youri Tielemans in a £35m deal, a move that followed the collapse of a proposed £43m transfer for Atalanta’s Ederson after a failed medical. Carrick also brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m to further strengthen the middle of the pitch.
On paper, that looks like smart, balanced business. Carragher still isn’t convinced.
“Wrong way round” for Tielemans
Tielemans arrives with pedigree and miles on the clock. The 29-year-old has racked up 244 Premier League appearances since joining Leicester City from Monaco in 2019, before moving to Villa on a free after Leicester’s relegation in 2023.
Carragher respects the player. He just questions the timing.
“The thing with Tielemans, I was watching the Super Cup and I'd just seen that Man United were on ITV playing Leeds, so I put it on,” he explained.
“It just came to me a little bit – Tielemans was taking a corner, and it come to me, he's a good player, don’t get me wrong.
“But you'd almost feel like he should have been at United a few years ago, then gone to Villa – not being at Villa, then gone to United.
“I'm not saying he's had his best days, but it almost felt like the wrong way round. The last three years should have been at United, and then he gets sold to Villa.”
For Carragher, United have bought a very good midfielder, but not at the point in his career when they truly needed him.
Mikel and Foster rave over “steal” at £35m
Carragher’s view cuts against the tide. Inside the game, Tielemans’ move to Old Trafford has been hailed as one of the standout deals of the summer.
John Obi Mikel did not hold back.
“For me, it's Youri Tielemans. Honestly... how the f*** did Manchester United get him for £35million? That's a f****** steal,” the former Chelsea midfielder said. “I watched him before and during the World Cup, and you can see that this is a player.
“Obviously, we all know how Tielemans plays, he can play as a six, an eight or a 10 and when you have a player that can play anywhere, it gives you the variety to change the way you want to play. Tielemans is that guy.
“He scores goals, he's dangerous from set pieces, he's brilliant on the ball, and he rarely gives it away. The only thing people can say is that he's not the quickest, but he reads the game so well.
“He is very intelligent with and without the ball. When I look at all the midfielders that have transferred to different clubs [this summer], the best one is Tielemans.”
Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster agreed, calling it “the signing of the summer so far”.
“I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far. What a bit of business that is,” Foster said. “I’ve been watching the window so far - Tottenham and Arsenal spending a lot of money, but I still think Tielemans is the best signing.
“For £35million, he is a ready-made, good to go, starting 11 player and I think if you can spend that money on a starter, it is worth every single penny.”
A calculated gamble in midfield
So United stand at an intriguing crossroads. On one side, Carragher arguing they should have stretched to Fernandes, accepting the £85m hit for a younger, potentially elite midfielder. On the other, Mikel and Foster insisting Tielemans at £35m is the smartest move anyone has made.
Carrick now has Tielemans and Andrey Santos to reshape his midfield. The question that lingers over Old Trafford is simple: will the club come to regret saving £50m on Fernandes if Tielemans cannot turn a “steal” into a statement season?
