Carragher Hails Tielemans’ Advanced Role After Leeds Draw
Jamie Carragher praised Youri Tielemans after the Belgian created Bryan Mbeumo’s opener in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Sunday, highlighting the midfielder’s awareness and execution in a more advanced role.
United began sharply at Elland Road after Michael Carrick changed the balance of his side. Tielemans operated higher up the pitch, joining Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo in attack rather than carrying the deeper midfield duties he has often held this term.
The adjustment delivered an early reward. Tielemans spotted Mbeumo’s movement in the final third and threaded the pass for the forward to put United ahead. Leeds responded after the break through Dominic Calvert-Lewin to secure a hard-fought point.
Carragher focused on the Belgian’s work before the assist, saying Tielemans had checked over his shoulder, received on his back foot and already understood where Mbeumo would be. He called the midfielder’s contribution “absolute quality”, adding that the finish was strong but the pass had been outstanding.
Tielemans has started each of United’s seven Premier League fixtures this season, although his recent deeper partnership with Kobbie Mainoo had been criticised by Gary Neville. With Mainoo unavailable through injury, Carrick selected Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos in central midfield against Leeds.
Baleba and Santos supplied greater running power in the middle, allowing Tielemans to play closer to United’s forwards and influence their most dangerous attacking phases.
What happens next
United now head to Italy for a Champions League away match against Como later this week. The game will be played at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, where Tielemans will hope his display at Elland Road has done enough to keep him in Carrick’s advanced setup.
