Rio Ferdinand has named Youri Tielemans as the Manchester United player who must now step up after Carlos Baleba limped out of Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Roma with a hamstring injury.
Tielemans replaced Baleba in the 51st minute at Old Trafford, after the £70 million summer signing from Brighton had received treatment on the pitch and been unable to continue. Baleba was making just his fifth start for the club.
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Manchester United had trailed 2-0 inside 17 minutes, Matias Soule scoring before Donyell Malen converted a penalty after Ayden Heaven handled the ball.
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from a retaken spot-kick in the 58th minute, and Matheus Cunha struck twice in three minutes late on, before a second yellow ended his night. It was the Red Devils’ first win in 10 matches.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast after the game, the former Manchester United defender insisted that Tielemans must find some form now. Ferdinand suggested that the Belgian midfielder has a massive role to play in the absence of Baleba.
“Also, great to see Tielemans back in.
“Let’s hope he continues. I thought we’d done well when he came on. And I think you look at somebody like him, especially with Baleba being injured now, you want to make sure he goes on a little run and gets some form, gets some fitness, gets the level up and becomes a part of it.”
Manchester United next face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday at Old Trafford.
How has Tielemans performed since joining Manchester United?
Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa for £35 million in the summer transfer window, tasked with giving Carrick a midfield that could control games. Notably, he has three assists in 13 appearances. Tielemans started in seven Premier League fixtures and began six of the first eight games alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
That partnership drew heavy criticism, with Gary Neville saying the pair were not dynamic enough and Jamie Carragher arguing Tielemans needs a compact team around him. He had lost his place for the previous two matches, then delivered the cameo against Roma that impressed Ferdinand.
Carrick confirmed that Baleba’s injury ‘doesn’t look great’, leaving Tielemans and Andrey Santos to compete for the spot next to Mainoo. The Belgian will be hoping he can build on this performance against his former club Aston Villa in the next outing. Manchester United remain winless in seven Premier League outings.
Edited by Nived Zenith
