Youri Tielemans has said sorry to Aston Villa supporters, with the Tielemans apology coming after the midfielder suggested Manchester United are a bigger club than his former side, the BBC reports.
The Belgian joined the Red Devils from Villa on 14 July in a deal reported to be worth around £35million, taking the No. 18 shirt at Old Trafford. His comments prompted a furious reaction among Villa fans, according to the Manchester Evening News, and the midfielder has now moved to calm the waters.
Why the Tielemans apology matters
The strength of feeling the remarks provoked shows how raw the summer move remains for the supporters Tielemans left behind at Villa Park. The BBC reports that he has apologised to Villa supporters for the comparison, while the Manchester Evening News reports the apology came in response to the backlash.
For United fans, there is little to forgive: a player rating the size of the club he has just joined is hardly a scandal at the Stretford End. The episode does, though, underline how quickly words travel in a summer where every new signing is under the microscope.
Attention now turns back to the pitch. The Red Devils face Milan on Saturday in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League opener away at Hull City on 22 August, and Tielemans will hope to make the midfield his own under Michael Carrick. Supporters can keep across all the latest United news right here.
