Youri Tielemans has apologised to Aston Villa fans after suggesting he had moved to a bigger club in Manchester United. The Belgium midfielder, 29, joined Old Trafford this summer on a five-year deal from Villa when United triggered a £35m release clause in his contract. Tielemans spent three years at Villa Park after joining from Leicester City in 2023, making 134 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Speaking during United's pre-season tour, he 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 were unhappy with Tielemans' comments, so he took to Instagram to clear the air. "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.

The controversy highlights the sensitivity around player transfers in the Premier League, where comparisons between clubs can spark fan backlash. Tielemans' remarks came during a high-profile pre-season campaign, adding pressure to his transition to Manchester United.

While his apology was well-received, the incident underscores the emotional ties players often have with former clubs. Tielemans' journey from Leicester City to Aston Villa before joining Manchester United reflects the fluid nature of modern football transfers.