Tielemans set for Manchester United medical as Belgium digest Spain exit
Tielemans to Manchester United, medical Tuesday
Your captain is on the move. Youri Tielemans is closing in on a transfer to Manchester United, with his medical set for Tuesday (2) (4). The Aston Villa midfielder led Belgium through the World Cup run and now looks ready for a new chapter at Old Trafford. Details on the fee are still under wraps.
Belgium fell 2–1 to Spain, the run ends
Your team went out fighting. Spain beat Belgium 2–1 in the World Cup quarter-final last Friday, ending the campaign one step short of the semis (5) (7) (8). The performance left its mark, and the reaction back home has been anything but defeatist.
Boskamp: you saved football from a bigger scandal
Jan Boskamp did not hold back. "They really saved football from an even greater disgrace," he said, reflecting on how Belgium handled the fallout from the Folarin Balogun red card and Donald Trump's intervention in the round of 16 against the USA (9). Boskamp called the World Cup a success for the Rode Duivels, full stop.
Courtois avoids serious injury, ready for LaLiga
Thibaut Courtois picked up a groin issue against Spain but scans show no serious damage (7). He will join up with Real Madrid at the end of July and is expected to be available for the LaLiga opener.
Meunier close to Valencia move
Thomas Meunier is nearing a switch to Valencia. The right-back, who featured at the World Cup, is expected to complete the move this week (6).
Fans back the campaign, Garcia future uncertain
A reader poll shows fans consider the World Cup more than a success, but there is real doubt about whether Rudi Garcia stays on as manager (5). No decision has been confirmed.
Fan reactions
The mood among Belgium supporters is quiet pride with an edge of frustration, the 2–1 exit to Spain stings but the team over-delivered after the chaos of the USA match. Most fans are directing their energy at the Tielemans news and the Garcia question rather than mourning the result. Read more on the subreddit.
Sources
- 2. hln.be — Toptransfer op til voor Youri Tielemans: aanvoerder van Rode Duivels op weg naar Manchester United
- 4. soccernews.com — Manchester United set to sign Youri Tielemans
- 5. nieuwsblad.be — POLL. Jij vindt het WK van de Rode Duivels meer dan geslaagd, maar twijfelt over toekomst van Rudi Garcia als bondscoach
- 6. voetbalprimeur.nl — 'Valencia pakt door op transfermarkt en versterkt zich ook met WK-ganger België'
- 7. managingmadrid.com — Courtois escapes serious injury, will be ready for LaLiga opener
- 8. theguardian.com — France unleashed: reinvention could earn Deschamps all-time great status | Nick Ames
- 9. voetbalprimeur.nl — Jan Boskamp: 'Ze hebben het voetbal echt gered van een nog grotere schande'