Youri Tielemans has revealed that he never expected to leave Aston Villa this summer before Manchester United made their move for the Belgium international.
United completed a £35 million deal for the midfielder after activating the release clause in his Villa contract. For Tielemans, though, the transfer came as something of a surprise after he had spent the summer focused on his football rather than looking for a new club.
The 29-year-old had become an important player for Villa after joining them and made 134 appearances for the club, scoring 10 times and recording 24 assists. He also scored in their Europa League final victory over Freiburg last season.
Now, after arriving at Old Trafford, Tielemans has explained how little he expected the move to happen.
Tielemans never expected to leave Villa
Manchester United had been interested in Youri Tielemans before. The club spoke to his representatives in 2019 after he impressed during his initial loan spell at Leicester. Again in 2022, United were heavily focused on Frenkie de Jong but waited too long as they missed a chance to sign Tielemans too.
Neither attempt led to a transfer.
Tielemans has now explained that there had been discussions again this time, but nothing initially suggested that a move was close.
“There has been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve anything so I was just very calm about it,” Tielemans said.
The Belgium captain said his agent handled most of the discussions while his own attention was elsewhere.
“It was mainly my agent that was dealing with it, I was more so focused on the World Cup, which was a big thing for me.
“When it was time that it was accepted and acceptable, I would say then I was made aware.”
That explains why the transfer seemed to develop quickly from Tielemans’ perspective. He wasn’t actively trying to force his way out of Villa and had no expectation that a major move would materialise.
“I was not expecting much [a summer move], to be fair. I was just focused on my football, focused on the World Cup, trying to perform as best as I could for my country. Then every summer something can happen.”
Manchester United is a bigger club than Aston Villa
The midfielder was also keen to make clear how highly he still regards Villa despite making the switch to one of the biggest clubs in England.
“We [Villa] achieved the Europa League win which was great for the club but there are still clubs above Aston Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.
“Aston Villa is a great club and I owe them the world. They have put me back at my best level so I am very thankful.”
Youri Tielemans already building a link with Fernandes
Tielemans has made an encouraging start to life at United, making his first appearance for the club in a 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
One of the most noticeable aspects of his early involvement has been his understanding with United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Tielemans already appears comfortable finding the Portuguese midfielder in positions and he believes their relationship has developed naturally.
“It’s really natural,” he said. “He is a guy that can find space easily. I just try and find him so that he can move forward.”
That connection could become an important part of Tielemans’ time at Old Trafford. He has arrived with plenty of experience, but United supporters will want to see that quality translate into a consistent partnership with Fernandes.
