After Erik ten Hag’s sneaky moment with Youri Tielemans during Leicester City’s 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Manchester United fans are finding it hard to contain their excitement. The fans have already sparked the talks of United going for Tielemans in the summer, when he is highly tipped to leave the Foxes for free. The Belgian midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season, and many including United are eyeing a free transfer for him.
United cruised to a win over the visitors, as Marcus Rashford continued his fantastic scoring form with a brace while Jadon Sancho came off the bench to score the third goal to continue his revival. There were many positive aspects of both the performance and the outcome for United, but their fans are especially excited about something that happened with their opponent, Youri Tielemans during the win.

Ten Hag’s gesture to Youri Tielemans sends United fans into a frenzy
Having started the game on the bench, Youri Tielemans replaced Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall just before the hour mark against United. However, the former Anderlecht and Monaco midfielder received a gentle tap on the back from United boss Ten Hag, right before he raced onto the field for a 30-minute cameo. But the gesture it seems has left a lasting impact as many believe it may be an indication of something interesting come in the near future.
Youri Tielemans has been linked with a move to United as well as a number of other Premier League clubs. The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United too are in the fray, but the Red Devils’ fans now believe that it is Old Trafford which is the midfielder’s next destination. The ‘pat’ gesture from Ten Hag to Tielemans is what has sparked the excitement amongst the United supporters as they are already forward to welcoming the 25-year-old in the summer.
Here are some of the best reactions of fans towards the gesture made by Ten Hag to Youri Tielemans:
Ten Hag just patting Tielemans back? pic.twitter.com/qsRMGCcjZV
— MUFC4liFE ?? (@10HagRED) February 19, 2023
Ten Hag patting Tielemans before coming on? ??? #MUFC
— Ben (@BentheRedUtd) February 19, 2023
Erik Ten Hag patting Tielemans on the back as he enters the field. Ten Hag cooking for the summer already ? #MUNLEI #ManUtd
— Mr C – Evolve (@JeevanSChagger) February 19, 2023
Tielemans doing audition for Ten Hag ?
— eres (@UnitedRS7) February 19, 2023
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 ??♂️?
— Banks (@KobiiBanks) February 19, 2023
Who else saw the way Ten Hag patted Tielemans when he was entering? ?
— Engineer Gojo Satoru (@daniel_tomiwa46) February 19, 2023
Ten Hag tapping Tielemans on the back ??
— barney (@amabrrrrrrr) February 19, 2023
?Ten Hag hinting that he wants Tielemans ???#MUFC #ManUtd #ManUnited #MUNLEI #ManchesterUnited pic.twitter.com/F9CAm72754
— RealRedsTalk (RRT) (@RealRedsTalk1) February 20, 2023
Ten Hag’s tap on Tielemans back as he came on didn’t go unnoticed… #MUFC
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) February 19, 2023
Ten Hag giving Tielemans a little tap there.. 😉
— Derik Ben Hag (@jakeleopold) February 19, 2023
This game showing me why we need to sign Tielemans in the summer
— Ten Hag’s Revolution ? (@ErikTenHagfans) February 19, 2023
For free in the summer incoming? https://t.co/ahCdbt4GBj
— Uziah/Uriel’s Unc (@flashypk) February 19, 2023
Did anyone else see the pat on the back ten hag gave Tielemans
— CholoBean?? (@CholoBean_) February 19, 2023