Manchester United midfielder Juri Tilemans intends to use the atmosphere of Old Trafford stadium for inspiration. He believes that the atmosphere at Old Trafford is one of the unique experiences in football.
Tilemans recalled how much his first visit to this iconic stadium as an opponent affected him when he played for Aston Villa. In July, he signed a contract with Manchester United until June 2031.
Last season, for Aston Villa, the midfielder helped the team win the UEFA Europa League by scoring the opening goal in the final against SC Freiburg. He shared his impressions, telling Jio Hotstar: 'Manchester United is a huge club. Playing at Old Trafford for the first time as an opponent was a big moment for me. I have never seen such a large stadium in my life. The atmosphere, the crowd, everything around was amazing. It's a place where every footballer dreams of playing.'
Now, as a Manchester United player, he is preparing to experience this atmosphere, while the club aims to gain momentum after a mixed start to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. United earned four points in the first four matches of the championship, defeating Ipswich Town 5-2 after losing to Hull City, and then drawing with Everton and losing to Manchester City 0-1 in the derby.
Tilemans believes that United has both the ambition and the quality to compete for major trophies, and views his transfer as an opportunity to take the next step in his career. He stated: 'This club has a lot of ambition and a lot of quality. For me, it is a good step to move forward and, hopefully, win many titles here.'
The midfielder is also looking forward to working with Michael Carrick, who previously played for England and Manchester United, and now manages the club. He noted: 'Carrick was a midfielder, and that is a huge advantage for me because he can give me a lot of advice, and I can learn from him within his structure, so I am very much looking forward to learning from him and, obviously, connecting with my teammates.'
Furthermore, Tilemans feels that his experience can help the young players of United in their development. He emphasized: 'When you grow up as a small child, you look at these senior players. You try to copy what they do in the locker room and in the gym, and how they prepare to be the best. This example stays with you.'
He added: 'So, I hope I can become that example for the young guys who come here. I want to show them the right way to train, take care of themselves, and handle pressure.'