Youri Tielemans, the Belgian midfielder who completed a surprise switch from Aston Villa to Manchester United this summer, gave a candid interview about how the transfer unfolded and what he thought about the move. When asked whether he had anticipated leaving Villa during the current window, his reply was a straightforward "Not really, no," a response that may have taken many fans by surprise.
It is easy to overlook the fact that United quietly secured a player with eight seasons of Premier League experience for a relatively modest release clause of £35 million, effectively snapping up a talent who appears to be at the peak of his powers. In his first media appearance since donning the red shirt, Tielemans explained the background of the deal, noting that United had shown interest in him on a few occasions in the past but nothing materialised until now. "There have been two occasions when I spoke with the club, but nothing came of it, so I stayed calm," Tielemans said. "My agent was handling most of the negotiations while I was concentrating on the World Cup, which was my main priority at the time.
When the offer finally became acceptable, I was informed and the rest fell into place." He added that he did not expect a summer transfer at all. "I was focused on my football, on representing my country at the World Cup and trying to give my best for Belgium. Then, as it often does in football, something unexpected can happen during the summer," he explained. Tielemans arrived at Villa as a free agent after Leicester City were relegated to the Championship.
During his spells at both Leicester and Villa, a move to one of the traditional "top‑six" clubs never seemed imminent, which is why his arrival at Manchester United was viewed as a shock by many observers. When asked whether he thought the chance to join a club like United had slipped away, he answered, "Not really, because we achieved great things at Villa. Winning the Europa League was a massive achievement for the club, but there are still teams above us, and Manchester United is one of those clubs." He praised the atmosphere at United, saying, "There is a very positive mood around the club at the moment, and I am hopeful that we can write a great story together.
Aston Villa is a fantastic club and I owe them a lot – they helped me return to my best level, and I am extremely grateful for that." Adjusting to a new environment can be daunting, but Tielemans noted that he already feels a degree of comfort thanks to the presence of former Leicester teammate Jonny Evans, who now works on Michael Carrick's coaching staff. "Jonny has always been a key figure," Tielemans smiled. "He has a talent for mentoring young players, and he welcomed me at Leicester and now here.
It feels a little strange to see him as a member of the backroom staff, but it works well because he knows me, knows what I need and what I can contribute to the team." Another recent teammate who left an impression on Tielemans is England forward Marcus Rashford. The two shared six months together when Rashford was on loan at Villa for the latter half of the 2024‑25 season. Tielemans recalled their time at Villa Park fondly and expressed optimism that Rashford's qualities will benefit United as well.
"He was great," Tielemans said. "There was a lot of media hype and pressure surrounding him, but I saw a player who was humble, hardworking and, from the first training session, displayed an incredible touch and acceleration. Those are the attributes we needed at Villa, and I hope he can bring the same impact to United." Beyond club football, Tielemans experienced a whirlwind summer on the international stage. He captained Belgium at the 2024 World Cup, where the Red Devils were eliminated in the quarter‑finals by eventual champions Spain.
Unfortunately, Tielemans missed that decisive match after sustaining an injury in the warm‑up. He reassured United supporters that he is fully fit for the upcoming season. "It was simply an overload of games and minutes," he explained. "We played 120 minutes against Senegal, then had a short recovery before facing the United States three or four days later, and then another three days before the Spain match.
My body just shut down in the warm‑up." Prior to the injury, Tielemans played a pivotal role for Belgium, netting two goals in the dramatic 2‑1 victory over Senegal in the round of 32. The round of 16 clash against the United States was also memorable, not only for Belgium's 4‑1 win but also for a controversial decision involving USA striker Folarin Balogun's red card, which was later rescinded. "We were initially surprised by the decision to overturn the red card and the subsequent suspension," Tielemans remarked. "In practice it didn't change much for us, other than the preparation for the game because we had to adjust to a different type of player.
Apart from that, we stayed calm, accepted the situation and focused on playing a good game." Tielemans' summer, therefore, has been marked by a series of high‑profile moments: a Europa League triumph, a World Cup captaincy, a serious injury, and a high‑profile transfer to one of the biggest clubs in England. He concluded his interview by emphasizing his readiness to contribute to Manchester United's ambitions and his eagerness to build a new chapter alongside his new teammates.
"I am excited for the challenge ahead," he said. "The club has a rich history and a great fan base, and I want to give everything I have to help us succeed.
I feel prepared physically and mentally, and I look forward to creating something special together with the squad and the supporters."