Nicky Butt has declared Manchester United's £35 million acquisition of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa as the 'best signing of the summer' ahead of the new Premier League season. The former United midfielder praised the Belgium international's fee, age, and experience, arguing that the deal represents exceptional value for money.
Butt's Verdict on Tielemans
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, sponsored by Midnite, Butt said: 'I think Youri Tielemans is the best signing of the transfer window. Looking at his fee, his age, his experience – he's played in the Champions League and World Cups and he's a great footballer. I think that's a brilliant signing for Manchester United.'
Asked who he rates as the best signing of the summer transfer window, Butt added: 'I think it's Youri Tielemans. If he was up at £70m or £80m I would give you a different answer but you need to look at the value for money. If Manchester United get the right players around him I think he will be the best summer signing.'
United's Summer Transfer Activity
Manchester United have bolstered Michael Carrick's squad with the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Karl Darlow this summer. Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson, and Cristian Orozco have also arrived at Old Trafford but will join the club's academy rather than link up with Carrick's first-team squad.
United intend to dip back into the transfer market before the transfer deadline, with Carrick still pursuing a new left-back, another forward, and possibly a third midfielder.
Mikel and Maguire Praise the Deal
Former Chelsea title winner John Obi Mikel also views Tielemans as one of the best pieces of business in the summer transfer window. 'For me, it's Youri Tielemans,' the Chelsea legend said on The Obi One podcast when asked for his take on the most impressive midfield signing of the summer. 'Honestly, how the f*** did Manchester United get him for £35m? That's a f****** steal. I watched him before and during the World Cup, and you can see that this is a player.'
Mikel added: 'Obviously, we all know how Tielemans plays, he can play as a six, an eight or a ten 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.'
The signing has also got the thumbs up from Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, who previously played with Tielemans at Leicester City. 'He's going to come in and be a big player for this club,' Maguire said. 'He's a top player. I played with him at Leicester for a few months so I know the ability and talent that he has. He is at an age now where he's going to come in. I'm sure he's not going to need time to settle in.'
Scholes Offers a Counterpoint
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is less optimistic about Tielemans' arrival, saying he was 'inconsistent' during his three-year spell at Villa Park. 'I disagree about Tielemans,' Scholes said. 'I just think he can either be a nine out of ten or a two out of ten, I don't think there's much in between. When he's a nine he's obviously brilliant but I do think he's inconsistent. I think it's just the way he plays. Some weeks you think he should be playing for the best team in the world. At Villa maybe you can half get away with that but at United you've got to be performing in four out of five games.'
Tielemans' arrival is part of a broader squad overhaul at Old Trafford, and the club's recruitment drive continues as the transfer deadline approaches, with Carrick targeting further reinforcements in defence and attack.
