Youri Tielemans, the Belgian midfielder who recently completed a move to Manchester United, gave a candid response when asked if he had expected to depart Aston Villa during the current transfer window. "Not really, no," he said, a reply that may have surprised many given the high-profile nature of the transfer. Tielemans’ arrival at United was a relatively quiet affair, facilitated by a modest £35 million release clause that allowed the Red Devils to secure a player with eight seasons of Premier League experience at what many consider the peak of his abilities. In his inaugural interview since donning the United shirt, Tielemans detailed how the switch materialised, especially since Manchester United had previously shown interest in him on a couple of occasions.
"There have been two times when I spoke with the club, but nothing came of it, so I stayed calm," he explained. He added that his agent handled most of the negotiations while his own focus remained on the 2022 World Cup, a tournament that dominated his thoughts at the time. "When the deal finally became acceptable, I was informed. I wasn’t expecting a summer move; I was just concentrating on my football and trying to give my best for my country.
Then, as every summer can show, things can change quickly," he reflected. Tielemans’ path to United was not a straightforward climb through the traditional "top‑six" ladder. After Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship, he left the club on a free transfer and signed for Aston Villa.
During his stint at Villa, there was little speculation linking him with a move to any of the historically dominant English clubs, which made his eventual transfer to United all the more unexpected. When asked whether he ever thought the chance had slipped away, he answered, "Not really, because we achieved great things at Villa, including winning the Europa League, which was a massive achievement for the club. Yet there are still clubs above us, and Manchester United is one of them." He praised Villa for restoring his confidence and helping him reach his optimal level, saying, "Aston Villa is a wonderful club and I owe them a great deal. They brought me back to my best form, and I’m extremely grateful for that." Tielemans also expressed optimism about the atmosphere at United, noting a positive vibe surrounding the club and a hope that he can help write a new, successful chapter together.
Adjusting to life at Old Trafford has been eased by the presence of familiar faces, most notably former Leicester teammate Jonny Evans, who now works as part of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff. Tielemans smiled when asked about reuniting with Evans, describing him as "always a main character" who has a talent for mentoring younger players. "It’s a bit odd to see him as a staff member, but it works well.
He knows me, knows what I need, and understands what I can bring to the team, which is very helpful," Tielemans said. Another recent acquaintance at United is Marcus Rashford, with whom Tielemans shared six months at Villa when the England forward was on loan for the latter half of the 2024/25 season.
Tielemans recalled their time together fondly, highlighting Rashford’s humility, work ethic, and technical qualities. "There was a lot of media pressure around him, but on the training ground his touch and acceleration were outstanding.
He was exactly what we needed at Villa, and I hope he can deliver the same impact here," he remarked. Beyond club matters, 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 the quarter‑final match after sustaining an injury during the warm‑up.
He clarified his fitness for the upcoming season, insisting that he is fully recovered and ready to contribute. "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 then Spain three days after that.
My body simply shut down in the warm‑up," he explained. During the tournament, Tielemans played a pivotal role, scoring twice in Belgium’s dramatic 2‑1 victory over Senegal in the round of 32. The round of 16 against the United States proved especially memorable, not only for Belgium’s 4‑1 win but also for the controversy surrounding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red‑card suspension, which was later overturned.
Tielemans commented, "We were initially surprised by the decision to rescind the red card, but it didn’t change much for us beyond the preparation. It meant we faced a different type of player, but we stayed calm, accepted the situation, and focused on playing our game." Overall, Tielemans’ summer has been marked by a series of significant milestones: a surprise transfer to one of the world’s most storied clubs, a World Cup captaincy, and personal challenges with injury. As he settles into Manchester United, he brings a blend of experience, resilience, and a clear desire to help the team achieve success. Fans can look forward to seeing how his Premier League pedigree and international pedigree translate into performances at Old Trafford in the forthcoming season.