Manchester United’s new midfielder didn’t need much convincing when the move came together – and speaking on JioHotstar, Youri Tielemans made clear that both the club’s trajectory under Michael Carrick and his own history with Old Trafford as a visiting player shaped that decision.

Tielemans arrives at Old Trafford following a season at Aston Villa where he registered four assists in 25 appearances, and he framed the move as a genuine step forward rather than a lateral one. “There is a lot of ambition inside this club, and a lot of quality. This is a good step for me to push on and hopefully win many titles here,” he said.

“Also, last season, in the second half, Manchester United went on a really good run of wins under Michael Carrick. The players have always been top quality and the signings this summer have been smart too. To play alongside them is going to be really good.”

Learning From a Midfielder Turned Manager

Carrick’s own playing background as a midfielder is something Tielemans singled out as a specific advantage heading into this move. “Carrick was a midfielder and that’s a huge advantage for me because he can give me a lot of tips and I can learn from him inside his structure,” he said. “So, I’m really looking forward to learning from him and obviously to link up with my teammates.”

The First Time He Walked Into Old Trafford as an Opponent

Asked about his history with United’s home ground before signing, Tielemans described the moment in vivid terms. “Manchester United is a massive club. Playing at Old Trafford for the first time as an opponent was a big moment for me. I had never seen a stadium that big in my life. The atmosphere, the crowd, everything about it was amazing. It’s the kind of place every footballer dreams of playing in.”

Stepping Into a Senior Role for United’s Younger Players

Beyond his own transition, Tielemans spoke at length about the responsibility that comes with being an experienced arrival at a club with a strong pipeline of young talent. “When you grow up as a young kid, you look up to those senior players. You try to copy what they do in the changing room, in the gym, and how they prepare to be the best. That example stays with you. So hopefully I can be that example for the young guys coming through here,” he said. “I want to show them the right way to train, look after themselves, and handle the pressure. If they can learn from what I do and have a great career, that would make me very proud.”

He tied that responsibility directly to his own standing in the squad: “It’s about passing on the standards. When you are a senior player, you have a responsibility to help the next generation. I take that seriously. The young lads here are hungry to learn, and it’s up to us to guide them.”

What’s Next

Manchester United will look to build on their start to the season and register their second win of the campaign when they host Fulham on Sunday, September 20, kicking off at 9 PM, live on JioHotstar and Star Sports.