Youri Tielemans has publicly apologized to Aston Villa following backlash from supporters over comments he made regarding his recent transfer to Manchester United. The 29-year-old midfielder, who completed a £35 million ($47 million) move to Old Trafford in July after United triggered a release clause in his contract, had suggested that the Manchester club held a higher status than his former side.
Reflecting on his career move, Tielemans had stated, “There are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.” While many acknowledge that United maintains a larger global profile than the squad managed by Unai Emery, the remarks drew sharp criticism from the Villa faithful. Tielemans, who joined Villa from Leicester in 2023, took to Instagram on Thursday to address the controversy and clarify his intentions.
“Never meant for my words in the press yesterday to offend anyone or the institution of Aston Villa Football Club, which I massively respect and I’m grateful for the past 3 years,” the Belgium international wrote. He added that he recognized his mistake, expressed regret for his choice of words, and wished the club success in the future.
During his tenure at Villa, the midfielder played a pivotal role in ending the club’s 30-year trophy drought, notably scoring in their Europa League final victory against Freiburg last season. He described his transition to Old Trafford as the “culmination of years of dedication” toward his professional footballing ambitions.
Tielemans is currently preparing for his debut with his new club and is expected to make his first Premier League appearance for Manchester United during their season opener against Hull on August 22. The report also notes that tielemans apologises for offending Villa fans with Man Utd boast.
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