Manchester United midfielder, Youri Tielemans, has revealed why he chose to leave Aston Villa for the Old Trafford club, describing United as a step above his former side.
The Belgium international completed a £35m transfer to Manchester United this summer after the club activated the release clause in his Aston Villa contract, bringing an end to a long-running transfer pursuit.
Tielemans disclosed that United had previously shown interest in signing him on two occasions.
The first came in 2019 following his impressive loan spell at Leicester City, while another attempt was made in 2022.
Reflecting on those failed moves, Tielemans said, “There had been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve anything,” Tielemans said.
The 29-year-old admitted that he did not anticipate leaving Villa during the summer, as his attention was primarily on his performances and representing Belgium at the World Cup.
“I was very calm. I was not expecting much this summer, to be fair. I was just focused on my football, focused on the World Cup and trying to perform my best for my country,” he said.
However, the midfielder was aware that a transfer remained possible because of the release clause included in his Villa contract.
“But you know every summer something can happen, and obviously I was aware of the clause,” he added.
Despite his departure, Tielemans expressed deep appreciation for Aston Villa and credited the club with helping him regain his best form.
“I am very thankful to Aston Villa. I owe them the world. It is a great club, we did amazing things, and they have put me back to my best level,” Tielemans said.
Nevertheless, the midfielder believes joining Manchester United represents a move to a bigger club in his career.
“But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them,” he said.
Tielemans described his move to United as a significant milestone but stressed that securing the transfer is only the beginning of his ambitions at the club.
“It is a great achievement for any footballer to end up here. It means you have done well in your career,” he said.
“But it does not end there. I want to be successful.”
Tielemans will now aim to establish himself at Manchester United and contribute to the club’s pursuit of major honours after finally completing a move that had been discussed on two previous occasions.
