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Youri Tielemans has called Manchester United the “ideal club for me” after completing his £35 million transfer from Aston Villa. The Belgian midfielder joins the Old Trafford outfit with vast experience and a strong determination to help restore the Red Devils to the summit of English and European football.

A fresh beginning at Old Trafford

The 29-year-old finalised his move to Manchester earlier this week following an impressive spell in the West Midlands. Tielemans, who played a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s midfield, is seen by the United management as a crucial addition to a team gearing up for a return to the Champions League during the 2026–27 season.

In his first official interview since signing, Tielemans expressed his enthusiasm for the project taking shape at the Theatre of Dreams. “I think it’s a great step up for myself. The club is in a great place, and I feel like there is a lot of ambition inside the club,” Tielemans told the club’s official website.

Focused on silverware with the Red Devils

After playing a key role in Aston Villa’s first major European triumph in over forty years by scoring in the Europa League final victory against Freiburg, Tielemans is eager to experience more success. He believes that the current Manchester United squad possesses the right mix of talent and attitude to challenge for top honours in the years ahead.

“Inside the team, there’s a lot of quality and I feel like this is a good step for me to push on and hopefully win many, many titles with the club,” he added. His signing follows the recent arrival of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, marking a significant reshaping of United’s midfield options.

Legacy at Villa Park

Tielemans leaves Villa Park after making 134 appearances across all competitions, contributing 10 goals and 24 assists. His defensive intensity was also instrumental in Unai Emery’s tactical framework; during the 2025–26 campaign, he made more successful tackles (36) than any of his teammates, showcasing the well-rounded attributes he brings to Manchester United.

The Belgian international considers himself to be at the peak of his career. “I have a lot of experience. I'm 29 years old and I’m ready to push on and take the next step in my career. That’s why this is the perfect club for me. They want to win and, hopefully, perform really well on the pitch, so that’s why I chose to come here,” he said.

A natural leader in midfield

Tielemans’ addition also brings more leadership to the dressing room. Having captained Anderlecht in European competitions as a teenager, his leadership credentials are well established. Those qualities were further recognised this summer when he was chosen ahead of stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois to lead Belgium at the World Cup in North America, underlining his authority and maturity on the pitch.

“I'm very happy and very excited to start, to meet my teammates, and to be on the pitch together,” he added, looking forward to his new journey. Manchester United are set to kick off their 2026–27 Premier League campaign on August 22 with an away fixture against newly promoted Hull City.