The end of any football career can be daunting and for many, acclimatising to life without the structure and routine of a professional sport is difficult. In recent years, there have been a rise in cases of footballers slipping into wrong habits or fading into obscurity after struggling to come to terms with being an ex-professional.
I had to leave Manchester United to kickstart my career - but I regretted it
05.05.2024 - 03:59 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It is a well-known fact that only a small percentage of those who are enrolled into Manchester United's academy end up enjoying a lucrative career at Old Trafford.
So many youngsters over the years have fallen short of making their first-team debut, while others have forced their way in and then struggled to stay there. The latter applies to Marnick Vermijl, who joined United's academy from Belgian side Standard Liege in 2010.
After the best part of two years playing for the youth teams and for the reserves, Vermijl's moment in the spotlight arrived when Newcastle United visited Old Trafford in the third round of the League Cup in September 2012. Handed his senior debut by Sir Alex Ferguson he started alongside the likes of David de Gea, Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, helping United seal a 2-1 win.
READ MORE: I signed for United and wanted to quit after my first training session
READ MORE: I was given my United debut by Sir Alex Ferguson - but he never even spoke to me
Unfortunately for him it did not prove to be a breakthrough moment, so much so he had to wait almost another two years before sampling the taste of first-team football in United colours again. That night he started the infamous 4-0 League Cup defeat to MK Dons at Stadium MK, marking one of the worst results in United's modern history. He only featured in one United matchday squad again, making the bench for a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in November 2014. It was becoming increasingly obvious he would have to leave to take the next step in his career.
In February 2015, the Belgian joined Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. He penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at Hillsborough in a move that seemed to suit all parties, with Vermijl set to
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