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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The midfielder said he was not expecting to leave Villa this summer and was focused on 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, Tielemans knew a move could happen because of the release clause in his Villa contract.

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

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

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

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

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

“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 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.