EPL: Why I left Villa to join Man United – Tielemans

n n

Manchester United midfielder Youri Tielemans has explained his decision to leave Aston Villa, saying the Old Trafford club is a step above his former side.

n

Tielemans completed a £35m move to Manchester United this summer after the club triggered his release clause, finally ending a transfer saga that had previously failed to produce a deal.

n

The Belgium international revealed that United had considered signing him twice before, first in 2019 after his impressive loan spell at Leicester City and again in 2022.

n

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Tielemans was quoted as saying, “There had been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve anything,” Tielemans said.

n

The midfielder said he was not expecting to leave Villa this summer and was focused on representing Belgium at the World Cup.

n

“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.

n

However, Tielemans knew a move could happen because of the release clause in his Villa contract.

n

“But you know every summer something can happen, and obviously I was aware of the clause,” he added.

n

Despite leaving Villa, the 29-year-old was full of praise for the club and credited them with helping him rediscover his best form.

n

“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.

n

However, he believes Manchester United represents a move to a bigger club.

n

“But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them,” he said.

n

Tielemans described joining United as a major achievement in his career but insisted he has no intention of simply being satisfied with the transfer.

n

“It is a great achievement for any footballer to end up here. It means you have done well in your career,” he said.

n

“But it does not end there. I want to be successful.”

n

Tielemans will now look to establish himself at Old Trafford and help United compete for major honours after finally completing a move that had been discussed on two previous occasions.

n n