Former Manchester United defender Marnick Vermijl has explained why he’s happier with life as an amateur and a part-time postman than he ever was at Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old has been speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, relayed by Voetbal Primeur, about life ten years after leaving Manchester United.
He joined United’s youth set up from Standard Liege in 2010 and by 2012 was in the first team, before later going on loan to NEC Nijmegen.
He would only make two appearances for Manchester United’s first team in total, playing for them in the EFL Cup, despite training with legends such as Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.
A move to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 brought an end to his time at the club and it’s been a winding road since then, with spells at Preston, Scunthorpe United, MVV Maastricht and now Thes Sport, who he joined in 2020.
They are a ‘first-class amateur’ side currently competing in the third tier of Belgian football, a far cry from life at Manchester United.
In fact, Vermijl also works as a postman on the side, but has no problems with that and explains he’s actually happier than he’s ever been.
“I was fed up with professional football. You are too dependent on the trainer you have,” he said.
“Finding pleasure was also a big factor for me. As a postman, I have to get up at four o’clock, but now I am home around noon and can pick up the children from school every day. That is a luxury.”
