Youri Tielemans makes Man United admission after summer move to Old Trafford

By Matt Law | 12 Aug 2026 15:00, Last updated: 12 Aug 2026 15:02

Manchester United midfielder Youri Tielemans has said that helium was not expecting to permission Aston Villa during this summer's transportation window.

Tielemans, 29, made the determination to Man United from Villa successful the mediate of July, and helium debuted for the 20-time English champions successful their pre-season affable with Paris Saint-Germain connected Saturday.

The midfielder is besides successful enactment to diagnostic against Leeds United connected Wednesday evening successful what volition beryllium Man United's penultimate pre-season contest.

Tielemans has spoken astir erstwhile transportation talks with Man United, portion helium admitted that a transportation distant from Villa this summertime came arsenic somewhat of a surprise.

"There has been 2 times that I spoke with the club, but it did not execute thing truthful I was conscionable precise calm astir it," Tielemans told Sky Sports News.

Tielemans "was not expecting" summertime transfer

"It was chiefly my cause that was dealing with it, I was much truthful focused connected the World Cup which was a large happening for me. When it was clip that it was accepted and acceptable, I would accidental past I was made aware.

"I was not expecting overmuch [a summertime move], to beryllium fair. I was conscionable focused connected my football, focused connected the World Cup, trying to execute arsenic champion arsenic I could for my country. Then each summertime thing tin happen."

Tielemans represented Villa betwixt 2023 and 2026, scoring 10 goals and registering 25 assists successful 134 appearances for the nine successful each competitions.

Tielemans addresses wounded astatine 2026 World Cup

The midfielder has besides addressed the wounded that helium suffered astatine the 2026 World Cup, having been incapable to diagnostic against Spain successful the quarter-finals.

"It was conscionable an overload of excessively galore games, excessively galore minutes and unluckily my assemblage could not header with it anymore," Tielemans added.

"We played 120 minutes against Senegal and from there, we had little clip successful betwixt games. We played the USA 3 oregon 4 days later, past 3 days aft that, we played against Spain. In the warm-up, my assemblage switched disconnected for immoderate reason."

Tielemans penned a five-year declaration astatine Man United upon his arrival, and his competitory debut for the nine could travel against Hull City successful the Premier League connected August 22.