COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland -- Youri Tielemans has revealed Manchester United twice tried to sign him earlier in his career before finally making the move to Old Trafford this summer.
The 29-year-old has joined from Aston Villa after United triggered a £35m ($47.3m) release clause in his contract.
The Belgian has been linked with moves a number of times in the past during spells at Anderlecht, Monaco and Leicester. And he revealed that on two occasions the deal got so far down the line that he had conversations with the club.
"There have been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve to anything, so I was just very calm about it," Tielemans said.
"I am very calm about it. When a move comes up, then if it needs to happen, it will happen.
"At the times that I have been linked with the club before, it did not happen, but it is what it is, you know. I just keep working, keep doing my thing on the pitch and then it happens."
Tielemans learned of United's interest while he was away at the World Cup with Belgium.
The clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Villa Park was not widely known. And the midfielder has admitted he was not expecting to move until getting a call from his agent.
- Barcelona optimistic of signing Rodri, plan improved Marc Bernal contract offer - source
- Chelsea bolster full-back options with Pep Chavarría arrival from Rayo Vallecano
- John McGinn: Aston Villa will compete despite big name departures
"I was not expecting much, to be fair," he said in an interview at United's preseason training camp in Ireland.
"I was just focused on my football, focused on the World Cup, trying to perform as best as I could for my country. Then, you know, every summer something can happen, even in the winter something can happen. So I was not really focused on that, I was just trying to play the best game I could, and I did."
Tielemans was at Villa for three years and was part of the team which won the Europa League last season. But despite helping Champions League football return to Villa Park, Tielemans said he couldn't turn down the chance to join United.
"I know that at Villa we did amazing things," he said.
"We achieved the Europa League win, which is great for the club. But, yeah, there are still clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.
"Especially at this moment, there is a very positive vibe, a very positive mood in and around the club.
"So I am just hopeful that we can have a great story together, but Villa is a great club and I owe them the world, you know. They have put me back to my best level, so I am very thankful."