Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans spoke glowingly of Marcus Rashford in 2025 and the pair look set to be reunited at Manchester United. Rashford spent half a season with Tielemans at Aston Villa after joining on loan and now the Belgian appears close to joining his former colleague at Old Trafford. United have already signed Andrey Santos and could make the 29-year-old their second midfield addition. Their interest in the Belgian – available for around £35m – comes after the Red Devils’ pursuit of Ederson appeared to hit a wall.
Rashford played the second half of the 2024/25 season with Villa, representing Unai Emery’s side in the Premier League and Champions League. However, he didn’t join permanently and instead moved to Barcelona on loan for the 2025/26 campaign. Tielemans made it clear early on that he was excited by the prospect of playing with Rashford. Now, the pair could be team-mates once more.
“Very pleased, especially the way he is performing now and with the two assists today,” the former Leicester man said early on in that loan spell.
“Marcus is someone who can threaten everyone. He is very important for us in the way he plays because he gives us something different on the left-hand side.
“You could tell today every time he got the ball he was dangerous and hopefully with many more minutes in his legs he will only get better. “
Those remarks reveal just how highly Rashford was valued at Villa, and now Tielemans could prove instrumental in persuading his prospective new team-mate to remain in Manchester. The academy product faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford following a fruitful loan spell at Barcelona last season.
Rashford was initially sent out on loan after a falling-out with former boss Ruben Amorim. The ex-United manager maintained that he dropped the winger because he could not embrace his approach, insisting his tactics were the “way you’re supposed to play football.”
Less than 12 months on from that decision, Amorim was dismissed by United and Michael Carrick assumed control. The 44-year-old restored success and squad harmony to the club, lifting United to third in the Premier League standings and securing Champions League qualification.
Carrick was handed a permanent deal in the summer and is set to hold discussions with Rashford about his future at the club.. Rashford made his position clear that he will be weighing up his options once he returns from England duty.
“I was very clear. I wanted any move done before the World Cup,” the forward said. “If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment.
“We’re fighting for something special. I don’t have the energy to dedicate to [thinking about club uncertainty].
Discussions with Carrick and a possible Tielemans transfer could persuade Rashford to remain at United this summer. Andrey Santos has become the club’s first summer acquisition, leaving Chelsea in a deal valued at up to £50m.
Tielemans may follow suit and he might not be the only other addition. Now, some supporters may hope that further new arrivals – combined with his former teammates’ glowing endorsements – might convince Rashford to stay put.