Tielemans apologises to Aston Villa fans over Manchester United comments

Youri Tielemans apologised to Aston Villa supporters on Thursday after remarks made during Manchester United's pre-season tour suggested he had moved to a bigger club.

The 29-year-old, who has been capped 90 times for Belgium, spent three years at Villa Park after joining from Leicester City in 2023, making 134 appearances and scoring 10 goals; United triggered a £35m release clause this summer and he moved to Old Trafford on a five-year deal.

Speaking during United's pre-season tour, Tielemans praised Villa for putting him "back to my best level", before adding: "But there are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them." Some Villa fans expressed unhappiness at those remarks.

Tielemans took to Instagram to address the reaction, writing: "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," he wrote on Thursday. "I must however admit my mistake and apologise for my choice of words, will be more careful in the future. "Wishing the club the best in the future."

Tielemans, who helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup this summer, signed for United in July until 2031. Last season he suffered separate calf and ankle problems that restricted him to 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa, the lowest number in a campaign during his time in England; he described the move as "the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football" and said signing for "such a special club" like United "feels incredible".

Manchester United face AC Milan and Aston Villa meet Borussia Monchengladbach in their final pre-season games on Saturday, before the new Premier League campaign begins next weekend.