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Beyond Bruno Fernandes's hat-trick, the display of Kobbie Mainoo or the gap in Old Trafford's roof, many left Manchester United's 5–2 triumph over Ipswich Town last weekend pondering Youri Tielemans's imitation.
The summer arrival from Aston Villa hadn't even made contact with the ball. It was instead his choice to closely replicate the stuttering approach Fernandes made before slotting his second-half penalty that captured the attention of so many.
This peculiar behavior sparked a flurry of wild theories following Sunday's victory, which Tielemans eventually cleared up.
When asked about his copycat run-up by Manchester United's official social media team, Tielemans explained: "It's to time my run into the box."
A penalty taker's teammates are considered to have committed an infringement if they charge into the box before the ball is struck and have a clear influence on play. Since Fernandes incorporates a small hop before hitting his penalties, it can be tricky to judge when to begin a direct run toward goal, so Tielemans took extra care to ensure he arrived first and no rule had been violated.
Fernandes converted his spot kick so Tielemans's efforts weren't needed, but he was still the first to arrive and wrap his captain in a warm embrace.
This Wasn't Tielemans's First Rodeo
This was not the first time Tielemans had employed his ghost penalty run-up technique. The versatile midfielder used this method during his spell at Aston Villa. During an FA Cup quarterfinal against Preston North End in March 2025, Tielemans found himself ironically mirroring the steps of Marcus Rashford, who now serves as his Manchester United teammate.
While this may have been a tactic devised by Tielemans himself, it could equally have originated from Villa's set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee. The highly regarded details coach oversaw all dead ball situations under Unai Emery, performing so impressively that he was lured away by Chelsea during the summer.
Tielemans Facing Fight for Man Utd Minutes
Tielemans dismissed any concerns about adjusting to Michael Carrick's specific requirements heading into the new campaign. "It might be different than what I am used to, but it is logical things in my opinion. It is just smelling football," he shrugged. Tielemans began his career in red with a disappointing outing.
The technically gifted midfielder was not alone in struggling for United against Hull City on the opening Saturday of the season, though it was worrying how subdued he and fellow summer signing Andrey Santos looked against a midfield widely expected to make a swift return to the Championship. Tielemans performed better alongside Kobbie Mainoo against Ipswich Town last weekend, though the match remained finely poised for the better part of an hour.
United will finally face opposition that competed in the Premier League last season when they meet Everton this Sunday. The anticipated pairing behind Fernandes would again be Tielemans and Mainoo, though Mason Mount's return from injury has complicated that picture.
Once Carlos Baleba reaches full fitness, competition for places will intensify further. Both Mainoo and Tielemans have generally flourished alongside a more overtly defensive presence, whether that be Casemiro for United's academy graduate, or Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara at Aston Villa. Baleba fits that more robust profile, leaving just one spot alongside him in midfield.
It may take more than a penalty trick for Tielemans to earn Carrick's trust.