Tielemans completes surprise £35m move to Manchester United

Youri Tielemans has completed a £35m transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester United, triggering a release clause in July to secure a five-year deal. The Belgian midfielder’s arrival marks the successful culmination of Manchester United’s third attempt to sign the player, following earlier interests in 2019 and 2022 that failed to materialise.

In his first interview since joining the club, Tielemans admitted the move was a surprise, noting he had not expected to leave Aston Villa during the summer window. He explained that his primary focus remained on captaining Belgium at the World Cup, with his agent handling negotiations with Manchester United on his behalf. Tielemans stated he was made aware of the opportunity only when it became acceptable to proceed, having previously spoken with the club on two occasions without result.

Tielemans joined Aston Villa as a free agent after Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship, a move he credited with restoring his performance levels. He expressed gratitude to the Villa hierarchy for their role in his development, citing their Europa League victory as a significant achievement. Despite the success at Villa Park, Tielemans acknowledged that Manchester United remains a club of a different stature, expressing hope for a positive future at Old Trafford amidst the club’s current positive mood.

The transfer facilitates a reunion with former Leicester City teammates Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford. Evans, who spent four and a half years with Tielemans at Leicester, now serves in Michael Carrick’s backroom staff. Tielemans welcomed the familiarity, noting Evans’ history of mentoring young players. He also spoke fondly of Rashford, who spent six months on loan at Aston Villa during the 2024/25 season, praising the winger’s humility and work ethic during their time together at Villa Park.

Tielemans’ summer was marked by intense international duty, captaining Belgium to a quarter-final exit against eventual winners Spain. He addressed an injury sustained during the World Cup campaign, attributing it to a cumulative overload of games and minutes, particularly following a 120-minute match against Senegal. He also commented on the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspended red card in Belgium’s round of 16 victory over the USA, stating that while the decision surprised the squad, it did not significantly alter their preparation or outcome.