Youri Tielemans says Manchester United’s status and his desire to succeed at the highest level ultimately convinced him to join the club after two previous attempts to sign him failed.
The Belgium midfielder completed a £35 million move from Aston Villa to Manchester United in July, signing a five-year contract while on duty with his country at the 2026 World Cup.
Tielemans revealed that United had previously held talks with him in 2019 and 2022, but neither move materialised.
“There had been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve anything,” he said.
“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.
“But you know every summer something can happen, and obviously I was aware of the clause.”
The 29-year-old said he remains grateful to Aston Villa for helping him rediscover his best form but believes Manchester United represents a step up in his career.
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“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. But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them,” Tielemans said.
“It is a great achievement for any footballer to end up here. It means you have done well in your career. But it does not end there. I want to be successful.”
Tielemans joined Villa after leaving Leicester City and became an important part of the club’s midfield. His move to United came after the Premier League club triggered his £35m release clause.
Tielemans has already begun building a relationship with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
The pair played together for 26 minutes during United’s 1-1 draw with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg, with Tielemans saying their understanding has developed naturally.
“It’s really natural. He is a guy that can find space easily. I just try and find him so that he can move forward,” he said.
Tielemans also expressed belief that he can contribute goals at United, having scored Leicester’s winner in the 2021 FA Cup final and opened the scoring for Villa in their Europa League victory over Freiburg in May.
“That’s the aim,” he said when asked whether he could bring goals to United.
