Marnick Vermijl once donned the iconic Manchester United jersey under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Making his debut in a 2012 Carabao Cup match against Newcastle United, the right-back contributed to a 2-1 victory.
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However, his time at the club was short-lived, featuring in just one more match — a crushing 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the same competition under Louis van Gaal in 2014.
The Belgian defender initially joined United’s academy in 2010 from Standard Liège. After five years and limited opportunities, Vermijl moved on, signing with Sheffield Wednesday in 2015.
He played 11 games in the Championship during the 2014-15 season before embarking on a series of transfers. A loan spell at Preston North End led to a permanent deal in 2016, where he stayed until 2019.
His final stint in professional football was with Dutch side MVV Maastricht, before transitioning to semi-pro football with Belgian third-tier club Thes.
By the age of 32, Vermijl had traded the adrenaline of football for the routine of postal delivery. Speaking to Voetbalprimeur, he revealed, “I was fed up with professional football. Too much depends on the coach you have. I wanted to enjoy life again.”
Now, Vermijl starts his day at 4 AM, delivering mail before returning home by noon to spend time with his children. “It’s a luxury to be there for my kids every day,” he shared.
During his career, Vermijl also represented Belgium at various youth levels, earning seven caps for the U21s.
While his football journey may not have matched the heights of Old Trafford glory, Vermijl has found fulfillment in a quieter, family-focused life.
