Former Manchester United player opens up about struggling with football: 'Rediscovering joy was crucial: now I am home in time to pick up my kids'

Now, after 12 years, Vermijl is still pursuing his love for football back in Belgium alongside his day job.

Not everyone can stay at the top, after all…

Marnick Vermijl: the forgotten man at Manchester United

Vermijl joined Manchester United under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson in 2010. He would have patiently for his chance in the first team, doing so in Fergie's final year during a League Cup win over Newcastle United some two years later.

From there, just one more senior appearance followed and boy was it one to forget. The chastening 4-0 defeat to MK Dons under Louis van Gaal was to be his final ever outing for the Red Devils, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015.

Spells with Preston North End and Scunthorpe United preceded a move back to Belgium before he joined K.V.V. Thes Sport Tessenderlo, a third-tier side in Belgium for whom he still turns out week in, week out.

Combining football and his job as a postman is a difficult task but reflecting on his time at the job, the now 32-year-old how quickly he became disillusioned with the beautiful game.

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He told Voetbalprimeur: "I was fed up with professional football. You are too dependent on the trainer you have. 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."

Vermijl's story acts as a polite reminder that not everyone who plays professional football is cut for life at the very top level, even those who are handed their first steps into the game by Ferguson.

Manchester United, under another new head coach, return to Premier League action this weekend as Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first game on Sunday.