Tielemans apologises to Villa fans for Man Utd remarks

What the report says

Youri Tielemans has apologised to Aston Villa supporters after comments he made while speaking about his summer move to Manchester United. In remarks reported by BBC Sport Football, the Belgium midfielder said United were a bigger club than Villa, prompting frustration among some Villa fans.

According to the BBC, Tielemans joined United from Villa in July on a five-year contract after the Premier League club activated his £35m release clause. He spent three seasons at Villa Park after arriving from Leicester City in 2023, making 134 appearances and scoring 10 goals. The report also notes that he had been dealing with injury problems last season, which limited his appearances.

Tielemans later addressed the reaction on Instagram, saying he did not intend to offend Villa or its supporters, and acknowledged that his choice of words had been a mistake. He said he respected the club and was grateful for his time there, while wishing Villa well for the future.

The episode comes during a busy pre-season period for both clubs, with Manchester United and Aston Villa preparing for their final warm-up matches before the new Premier League season begins. More broadly, the incident highlights how player comments about club status can quickly become a flashpoint for fans, especially when a transfer involves a direct move between top-flight rivals.