Richard Keys has criticised Manchester United’s recruitment and claimed new signing Youri Tielemans is already past his best after a difficult start at Old Trafford.
The Belgium international moved to United from Aston Villa in what had appeared to be a shrewd deal, but his early performances have failed to impress. Keys used the midfielder as an example while questioning the club’s summer business.
Richard Keys on Manchester United recruitment
Speaking on Keys & Gray Unleashed, the former Sky Sports presenter said United had been shopping at the wrong end of the market compared with their rivals.
“They shopped at Aldi in the summer while everyone else was in Waitrose,” Keys said.
Co-host Andy Gray challenged the comparison, replying: “Oh, come on. They’ve bought decent players. Come on. You’re telling me Youri Tielemans is an Aldi player. Come on.”
Keys stood by his assessment, responding: “His best days are behind him, Andy.”
Tielemans has looked particularly unimpressive since joining Manchester United, while Carlos Baleba has made limited impact because of injury and Andrey Santos has struggled to secure a regular place in Michael Carrick’s starting line-up.
The criticism adds to pressure on sporting director Jason Wilcox, with the club’s recruitment yet to address what have been described as key weaknesses in the squad.
Carrick initially lifted the mood at United, guiding them from the lower half of the table under Ruben Amorim to a third-place finish. However, the summer arrivals have so far failed to provide the expected lift or build on that progress.
