​Manchester United have completed a deal for Youri Tielemans this week, finally bringing the Belgian star into the club after years of links and intrigue. United has long been associated with Tielemans, who first caught their eye when they faced his Anderlecht side in the 2017 Europa League quarter-finals. His career subsequently took him to AS Monaco before he moved to Leicester City on loan in 2018, a stint that reinforced the interest from Old Trafford. Although United pursued a permanent agreement for the midfielder, Tielemans ended up signing with the Foxes on a permanent deal, where he would later make 195 appearances.
After a fruitful spell at Leicester, Tielemans joined Aston Villa in 2023, contributing 134 appearances across three seasons. The club has since strengthened further with new signings Andrey Santos and Tielemans themselves, who have both spoken about the appeal of working under such a highly successful midfielder in Michael Carrick. Yet there is another connection at United that has left a notable mark on Tielemans’s story: Jonny Evans. Evans joined United’s coaching staff alongside Carrick in January this year and had previously spent four years as a Leicester City teammate of Tielemans from 2018 to 2023.
In an interview with the club’s official website, Tielemans opened up about the influence of Evans. He said, “Jonny has been a big influence. I think he spoke with the manager about my character and my personality.” He added, “He’s been a big influence and I’ve always kept in touch with Jonny. He’s such a great guy.” The midfielder’s remarks underscore the personal and professional connections that accompany his move to Manchester United, highlighting how positive relationships can shape a player’s adaptation to a new club.
As Tielemans takes a well-deserved break after captaining his homeland at the World Cup, he will soon return to United’s pre-season preparations ahead of the new Premier League campaign. The season is set to begin on August 22, with the Red Devils’ first fixture an away trip to newly promoted Hull City. In that match, Tielemans will be looking to make a strong impression and secure his competitive debut for United, adding another exciting chapter to a career that has already seen him line up for some of Europe’s top clubs.
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