Man Utd have three Player of the Month nominees and Youri Tielemans does not come close to clear standout – opinion

Manchester United summer signing Youri Tielemans is now competing with two other key first-team players for the Premier League club’s Player of the Month award for September.

Youri Tielemans was the second major summer signing — the first being Andrey Santos — that Ineos brought through the doors of Old Trafford in the summer.

The 29-year-old Belgian midfielder was a key midfield acquisition from Aston Villa and has been Michael Carrick’s preferred pick alongside Kobbie Mainoo this season.

Manchester United triggered the £35m release clause for Tielemans in July and the Belgium international has adapted to the demands of the Premier League club.

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Youri Tielemans is up against Kobbie Mainoo and Matheus Cunha for Man Utd’s Player of the Month prize for September

Manchester United’s official website on Wednesday revealed that Youri Tielemans was among the candidates for the Premier League club’s Player of the Month award. The Red Devils did their first Player of the Month prize for the 2026-27 campaign in August and Bruno Fernandes came out on top after United fans cast their votes.

Tielemans stood out for the Red Devils and the former Aston Villa midfielder made the three-man shortlist alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Matheus Cunha. United have opened the Player of the Month poll and Red Devils supporters now have their chance to have their say on who comes out on top during the extended October international break.

There is no doubt that Tielemans has delivered for the Red Devils at different times, including stepping in as Man Utd captain for Bruno Fernandes during the start of United’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup. But neither Tielemans nor Matheus Cunha come close to the consistent performances from Mainoo this season.

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Even during the mixed results from the 2026-27 Premier League season so far, it has been incredibly hard to fault what Mainoo has shown under United manager Michael Carrick this season. Mainoo has made seven appearances across all competitions and has one assist to his name so far this season.

Mainoo chalked up his assist after he set up Bryan Mbeumo for Man Utd’s opener against Everton in the 2-2 Premier League draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier this month. The 21-year-old England international was unfortunate not to open his goalscoring account for the 2026-27 season in Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to 10-man Manchester City.

Mainoo came close to breaking the deadlock for United against Manchester City after his stunning long-range strike in the second half bounced off the post in the 50th minute at Old Trafford. While the Stockport-born talent had a tough time under Ruben Amorim at this stage last season, Mainoo has been showing his importance for the Red Devils time and time again under Carrick.

Man Utd’s Player of the Month prize for September feels like it should have Mainoo’s name written all over it. The only real debate left is who finishes second and third out of Tielemans and Cunha in the fan-led United poll.