Youri Tielemans, the Belgian midfielder who completed a surprising summer switch from Aston Villa to Manchester United, admitted that he did not anticipate leaving Villa during the transfer window. In his first interview since arriving at Old Trafford, the 28‑year‑old reflected on the circumstances that led to the move, the role of his agent, and his focus on the World Cup at the time. Tielemans explained that United had shown interest in him on two previous occasions, but nothing materialised. "There have been two times when I spoke with the club, but it didn’t lead anywhere, so I stayed calm," he said.
He added that his representative handled most of the negotiations while he was concentrating on preparing for the World Cup. "My agent was doing the work, I was focused on the tournament and trying to give my best for Belgium. When the offer finally became acceptable, I was informed," Tielemans recalled.
When asked whether he expected a summer transfer, he answered honestly: "I wasn’t expecting a move this summer. My mind was on my football and the World Cup, trying to perform for my country. Then, in football, anything can happen during the summer." Tielemans’ journey to United is noteworthy because he arrived at the club with eight seasons of Premier League experience and a reputation for being at the peak of his abilities, yet he was secured for a relatively modest £35 million release clause.
He had joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after Leicester City were relegated to the Championship, and during his time at Villa he never seemed to be linked with the traditional "top‑six" clubs. This made his switch to United all the more unexpected for many observers. Despite the surprise, Tielemans did not feel that the opportunity had slipped away. "Not really, because at Villa we achieved great things," he said.
He highlighted Villa’s Europa League triumph as a milestone and acknowledged that clubs such as Manchester United sit above Aston Villa in the hierarchy of English football. "There’s a positive atmosphere at United right now, and I’m hopeful we can write a great story together," he added, while also expressing gratitude to Villa for revitalising his career.
"Aston Villa is a fantastic club and I owe them a lot. They helped me return to my best level, and I’m very thankful." Adjusting to life at United has been eased by the presence of familiar faces on the coaching staff. One of those is former Leicester teammate Jonny Evans, who now works as a member of Michael Carrick’s backroom team.
Tielemans smiled when asked about reuniting with Evans, describing him as a "main character" who has always taken an interest in developing younger players. "It feels a bit strange to see him as a staff member, but it’s going well.
He knows me, knows what I need and what I can bring, so it helps me settle in," Tielemans explained. Another recent colleague is Marcus Rashford, with whom Tielemers shared six months at Villa when the England forward was on loan for the second half of the 2024/25 season.
Tielemans spoke warmly of Rashford, recalling the media pressure surrounding the winger and praising his humility, work ethic, and technical qualities. "From the first training session his touch and acceleration were outstanding. He was exactly what we needed at Villa, and I hope he can bring the same impact here at United," he said.
Tielemans’ summer was eventful even before his transfer. He captained Belgium at the World Cup, where the Red Devils reached the quarter‑finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain. Unfortunately, Tielemans missed the quarter‑final after sustaining an injury in the warm‑up.
He clarified that the injury stemmed from an overload of games and minutes. "We played 120 minutes against Senegal, then had a short recovery before facing the USA, and another three days later we played Spain. My body simply switched off in the warm‑up," he explained.
During the tournament, Tielemans contributed two goals in Belgium’s dramatic 2‑1 victory over Senegal in the round of 32. He also featured in the round of 16 win over the United States, a match that featured a controversial decision to overturn a red card given to USA striker Folarin Balogun. "We were surprised by the reversal of the red card, but it didn’t change our preparation much.
It was a different type of player, but we stayed calm, accepted the situation and focused on playing a good game," Tielemans said. Looking ahead, Tielemans insists he is fully fit and ready for the new season with Manchester United. He acknowledges the physical toll of the World Cup but emphasizes that his recovery is complete and he is eager to contribute to United’s ambitions.
"The injury was simply a case of too many games in a short period. I’m back to full fitness and excited to start this chapter at United," he concluded. Overall, Tielemans’ narrative illustrates a player who, while not expecting a summer departure, embraced the chance to join one of England’s most storied clubs, supported by familiar faces and a clear sense of gratitude toward his former team.
His experience at the World Cup, combined with his Premier League pedigree, positions him as a valuable addition to Manchester United’s midfield as the club looks to rebuild and compete on multiple fronts.