Manchester United activate £35m release clause to sign Tielemans from Aston Villa

Manchester United have signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35million, activating a release clause in the Belgian midfielder’s contract to make him the club’s second summer acquisition under manager Michael Carrick.

Tielemans, 29, joins following the departure of Casemiro, who left Old Trafford as a free agent at the end of last month after his contract expired. The Belgian’s arrival is intended to address a gap in United’s midfield options as the club continues its summer rebuild.

The deal follows United’s recent agreement to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50million package. Tielemans and Santos represent Carrick’s first two signings as United look to reshape the engine room ahead of the new season.

Tielemans arrives with recent international pedigree, having featured for Belgium at this summer’s World Cup, where he scored twice and helped his country reach the quarter-finals.

United’s midfield business may not be finished there. Atalanta’s Ederson continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, though reports suggest any potential deal is unlikely to be completed imminently and could instead be revisited closer to the end of the transfer window.

United begin their league campaign on August 22 with a trip to face newly-promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium.