{
  "id": 662861,
  "title": "EPL: Why I left Villa to join Man United – Tielemans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/epl-why-i-left-villa-to-join-man-united-tielemans-662861",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T12:48:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/epl-why-i-left-villa-to-join-man-united-tielemans/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Youri Tielemans, the Manchester United midfielder, has shared the reasons behind his decision to leave Aston Villa for a move to the Old Trafford club. The Belgian international completed a £35m transfer to Manchester United this summer after the club triggered his release clause, finally concluding a transfer saga that had previously failed to materialize. The 29-year-old Belgian revealed that United had previously shown interest in signing him twice before, first in 2019 following his impressive loan spell at Leicester City and again in 2022.\n\nAccording to reports from BBC Sport, Tielemans had spoken with the club on two previous occasions, but his previous attempts to join the Red Devils had not been successful. The midfielder stated that he was not expecting to leave Villa this summer and was concentrating on representing Belgium at the World Cup. Tielemans noted that he was calm and not anticipating any move this summer, as he was focused on performing his best for his country.\n\nHowever, the experienced midfielder was aware of the release clause in his Villa contract, which made a move plausible. Tielemans acknowledged this factor and added that every summer, something could happen. Despite leaving Villa, the midfielder expressed great appreciation for the club, crediting them with helping him regain his best form. He stated, \"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.\"\n\nNevertheless, Tielemans believes that Manchester United represents a step up from his previous club. He said, \"But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.\" The Belgian midfielder described joining United as a significant achievement in his career, acknowledging that it indicates he has done well in his footballing journey. Tielemans emphasized his desire to be successful at Old Trafford and added, \"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.\"",
  "summary": "Youri Tielemans reveals why he chose to leave Aston Villa for Manchester United, citing the Old Trafford club as a step above. Learn more about his £35m tr Read More: https://punchng.com/epl-why-i-left-villa-to-join-man-united-tielemans/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "EPL: Why I left Villa to join Man United – Tielemans",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/epl-why-i-left-villa-to-join-man-united-tielemans",
        "published": "2026-08-12T12:26:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}