Shay Given Calls £35m Tielemans a Smart Move for Manchester United

Shay Given hails £35m Tielemans as “really good business” and backs Lammens as United’s long-term No 1

Manchester United have spent far bigger money on midfielders in recent years, but Shay Given believes their £35 million move for Youri Tielemans might be the smartest deal of the lot.

The former Premier League goalkeeper, speaking to BOYLE Sports, framed the Belgian as outstanding value in a market where £100m and £75m fees have become the norm for top-level midfielders.

Tielemans over Tonali and Guimaraes

Given didn’t dodge the obvious comparison.

Have United weakened their midfield by not going for Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes? He doesn’t think so for a second.

“I think Youri Tielemans is a really good signing,” he said, pointing out that Aston Villa’s hand was forced by financial rules rather than footballing logic. Villa had picked Tielemans up on a free, then had to cash in.

“That’s frustrating for Villa because they have two billionaire owners but that’s what the rules say,” Given noted.

From there, the numbers speak for themselves. Tonali at £100m. Guimaraes at £75m. Tielemans at £35m.

“To sign Tielemans for £35 million when Sandro Tonali was £100 million, well that’s actually a really good piece of business because United are getting a really experienced player for club and country.”

A proven international, a Premier League regular, and at a fee that barely dents the modern elite-club budget. In Given’s eyes, United have finally zigged where others zagged.

Lammens: United’s most complete keeper since De Gea

Given’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop in midfield. He reserves his strongest praise for Senne Lammens, whom he calls the most complete goalkeeper at Old Trafford since David De Gea left.

United’s search for stability in goal has been long and messy. Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır both arrived with expectation, but Given is blunt about the level they reached.

“I think Senne Lammens has got the lot,” he said. “He’s been a breath of fresh air for Manchester United. I was surprised Ruben Amorim didn’t put him straight in as they signed him because Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır weren’t at the level required, if I’m being brutally honest.”

The contrast with how Manchester City handled Gianluigi Donnarumma is telling for him. City threw the Italian straight into the fire. Amorim held back with Lammens.

“The first Manchester derby after they signed him could have been his first game. City put Gianluigi Donnarumma straight in. I think Amorim hesitated because Lammens is younger and less experienced in such a big game but I would have chucked him in too because he plays with such a calmness. Nothing seems to faze him.”

That word – calmness – is what managers crave in a goalkeeper. Lammens, at just 24, already carries himself like a seasoned No 1.

From World Cup heartbreak to Old Trafford assurance

The only blot on Lammens’ recent rise came on the biggest stage. A fumble at the World Cup that knocked his country out. One moment, one mistake, that will live long in the memory.

Given, who knows the position’s pressures as well as anyone, was quick to defend the keeper’s circumstances.

“He was really unfortunate at the World Cup,” he said. “I think it’s 10 times harder to come off the bench as a goalkeeper than an outfield player. If you’re a midfielder, you can get the ball, pass it back and get a feel for the game. The first thing Lammens had to do was deal with a shot he would save 99 times out of a 100 and hold on to it.”

Lammens had only a brief warm-up. Then, cold hands and a hot ball.

“Yes, he did a quick warm up on the side of the pitch but that shot would have been the first time he really felt the ball in probably two hours. He fumbled it and it was a really bad mistake to knock his country out of the World Cup. There will be mental scars from that, but he’s come back to Manchester United and he’ll have time to process that.”

The key for Given is what happens next. Lammens has returned to club duty, to a dressing room and a schedule that give him space to rebuild. The error becomes a test of resilience, not a defining flaw.

The security blanket United have been missing

United fans have grown used to anxiety every time the ball is rolled back towards their own goal. The revolving door of keepers after De Gea never quite settled the mood.

Given is convinced that changes with Lammens.

He talks about presence, about the way a goalkeeper can lift the back four simply by walking onto the pitch.

“I like Senne Lammens a lot, I really do. I don’t think United have any problems when it comes to his position now in goal and they’ve got it wrong so many times in the past.”

That, from a former top-level keeper, is a damning verdict on recent recruitment – and a glowing endorsement of the current No 1.

“I think Lammens has got a big future ahead of him and he’s the sort of goalkeeper that walks onto the pitch and makes everyone feel more secure. They all feel they can trust him. They know he’s going to be a seven or eight out of 10 at least and is going to save them.”

A midfield rebuilt on value, a goalkeeper who finally inspires trust. If Tielemans settles as Given expects and Lammens keeps radiating that calm, United’s spine might at last look like something to build a season – and a new era – around.