Jamie Vardy calls Youri Tielemans “unbelievable” and thinks he will “start kicking on again” after the move to Manchester United. Wes Morgan’s view is similar. He says the Belgian’s dedication, gym work and speed of thought make him ready for the level that comes with Old Trafford.

Leicester voices behind the move

Vardy’s praise matters because it comes from someone who spent four-and-a-half years with Tielemans at Leicester’s King Power Stadium. He remembered first seeing him with Belgium and immediately telling the rest of the dressing room, “We’ve signed a player here!”

Morgan went even further on the work side of it. “What I’ve seen with Youri is dedication to his job,” he said, before adding that he was never one to take it easy in training and always gave it 100 per cent. Morgan also pointed to his technical capability, awareness and speed of thought, and said he was not surprised to see him at Manchester United now.

Tielemans is a 29-year-old Belgian international, and Manchester United moved for him by triggering a £35m release clause in Aston Villa's contract. He signed a five-year deal that runs until 2031. United have not bought him as a project player; they have paid for a midfielder they believe can step straight into a demanding environment.

The size of the step

There is a football case for the move beyond the praise. Tielemans has already made 5 appearances in 2026, played 494 minutes and scored 2 goals, so his form has not come from sitting on the edge of the squad. He also earned a 7.5 rating in his most recent Premier League outing, which fits the idea that his level is already translating against league opposition.

The open question is less about whether he has enough quality and more about how quickly he settles into United’s expectations. He has already said the club is the “perfect club for me” and that he wants to win many titles there, which is a strong fit with the way Vardy and Morgan describe him. United’s opener has been reported as a home game against newly promoted Hull City, but that fixture detail is not fully settled here.

Tielemans has the backing of two prominent Leicester voices, the fee is sizeable, and the contract runs to 2031. What matters now is whether that belief shows up when the league season starts and he begins life in a Manchester United shirt.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →