19 February 2023 , 18:33
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Manchester United fans have been sent into a Youri Tielemans-themed transfer frenzy after his intriguing Old Trafford gesture.
The Belgian midfielder started as a substitute during the Red Devils' 3-0 success over Leicester on Sunday afternoon. He was introduced with just under an hour of the game having been played but could do nothing to stop his side from falling to a comprehensive defeat.
Jadon Sancho extended the lead just two minutes after Tielemans’ arrival after Marcus Rashford had twice got his name on the scoresheet. Despite his contributions having been limited, a gesture shortly after the midfielder’s introduction got supporters talking more so than anything.
Ahead of entering the pitch, Tielemans was approached by United boss Erik ten Hag - the Dutchman then giving him a pat on the back. Usually, the gesture would seem irrelevant but considering the Belgian’s current availability, it could have revealed an intriguing clue.
The former Monaco star is out of contract at the end of the season and is available on a free transfer. The Red Devils have regularly been credited with an interest in his services, whilst Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are also thought to be admirers.
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Some United fans are not convinced that the Belgian is on his way to Old Trafford after the exchange between the pair. One on Twitter wrote: “Tielemans doing an audition for Ten Hag.”
Ten Hag tapped Youri Tielemans on the back ahead of his Old Trafford appearance (Twitter@https://twitter.com/10HagRED/status/1627344948415680512)Would Youri Tielemans be a good signing for Man Utd? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Another then suggested that he could be on his way sooner rather than later. “Did anyone see Erik ten Hag pat Youri Tielemans when he got subbed on? Might be only me but I'd love to see him in a Manchester Utd shirt,” they wrote.
Meanwhile, another fan said: “Erik Ten Hag patting Tielemans on the back as he enters the field. Ten Hag cooking for the summer already.”
It remains to be seen if Man United indeed make a move for Tielemans over the coming months considering his precarious contractual situation. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers recently admitted that he was unsure whether he would be able to call on his star midfielder next term.
Speaking last month, the Northern Irishman said: “I started this chat two years ago. I don’t know what can happen.
“My focus is on who’s here and we’ll see what happens. He’s only got a number of months left on his contract and this has been going on for two years. I’m not going to continue speculating. We’ll see what happens.”
Tielemans joined Leicester from Monaco initially on loan during the 2018/19 campaign. After paying £40m to make the move permanent, he has made 186 appearances for the club and scored 28 goals - one of which being the strike to win the club its first-ever FA Cup.