Youri Tielemans, the Belgian midfielder who completed a surprise move to Manchester United this summer, admitted that he did not foresee a transfer away from Aston Villa when asked about his expectations. "Not really, no," he replied, a response that may have caught some fans off guard given the speed and relative secrecy of United’s acquisition of a player with eight seasons of Premier League experience, secured for a modest £35 million release clause.

In his inaugural interview since donning the red shirt, Tielemans detailed how the transfer unfolded, noting that United had shown interest in him on a couple of previous occasions but nothing materialised at the time. "There have been two moments when I spoke with the club, but nothing came of it, so I stayed very calm," he said. He added that his agent handled most of the negotiations while his own focus remained on the World Cup, a tournament that dominated his thoughts that summer.

"When the offer finally became acceptable, I was informed. I wasn’t expecting a move this summer; I was simply concentrating on my football and trying to give my best for my country.

Then, as every summer can demonstrate, circumstances can change quickly." Tielemans’ journey to United began after he left Leicester City following their relegation to the Championship, joining Aston Villa on a free transfer. During his spell at both Leicester and Villa, a move to one of the traditional "top‑six" clubs never seemed imminent, which is why his switch to Manchester United raised eyebrows.

When asked whether he thought the chance had slipped away, Tielemans responded, "Not really, because at Villa we achieved great things. We won the Europa League, which was fantastic for the club, but there are still clubs above us, and Manchester United is one of them." He praised the atmosphere at United, describing it as "very positive" and expressing optimism about creating a new chapter together.

"Aston Villa is a wonderful club and I owe them a great deal. They helped me return to my best level, and I’m extremely grateful," he added.

Adjusting to a new environment can be challenging, but Tielemans noted that having a familiar face on the coaching staff eased the transition. Jonny Evans, a former Leicester teammate who now works in Michael Carrick’s backroom team, has become a trusted mentor. "Jonny has always been a key figure.

He helped develop young players at Leicester and welcomed me there, and now here at United. It feels odd to see him as staff, but it’s working well – he knows me, understands what I need, and knows what I can bring to the squad," Tielemans explained with a smile.

Another recent teammate who left an impression on Tielemans was England forward Marcus Rashford. The two shared six months at Villa when Rashford joined on loan for the latter half of the 2024/25 season.

Tielemans reflected fondly on their time together, saying, "He was great. There was a lot of media hype and pressure around him, but I found him simply excellent. He was humble, hardworking, and from the first training session his touch and acceleration stood out.

That was exactly what we needed at Villa, and I hope he can bring those qualities to United as well." Beyond club football, Tielemans experienced a whirlwind summer on the international stage. He captained Belgium at the World Cup, where the team reached the quarter‑finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain. Unfortunately, Tielemans missed that decisive match after sustaining an injury during the warm‑up. He reassured United supporters that he is fully fit for the upcoming season, explaining the cause of his setback: "It was an overload of games and minutes.

We played 120 minutes against Senegal, then had a short recovery before facing the USA a few days later, and another three days later we met Spain. My body simply shut down during the warm‑up." Before the injury, Tielemans played a pivotal role in Belgium’s tournament run, scoring twice in a dramatic 2‑1 victory over Senegal in the round of 32.

The round of 16 clash against the United States proved especially memorable due to a controversial disciplinary decision. USA striker Folarin Balogun had his red card rescinded and his suspension lifted, yet Belgium still triumphed 4‑1. "We were initially surprised by the reversal of the red card and the subsequent suspension," Tielemans recalled. "It didn’t change much for us aside from altering our preparation, as we had to adjust to a different type of opponent.

Apart from that, we stayed calm, accepted the situation, and focused on playing a good game." Overall, Tielemans’ summer was marked by significant milestones: a high‑profile transfer, a World Cup captaincy, and a memorable international campaign. As he settles into life at Old Trafford, he remains grateful to Villa for revitalising his career, optimistic about United’s ambitions, and eager to contribute his experience and skill to the Red Devils’ quest for silverware. His blend of Premier League experience, European competition pedigree, and recent international exposure positions him as a valuable asset for Manchester United as they look to rebuild and challenge on multiple fronts.