Manchester United and Belgium have a connection that has been building over time, specifically in 2009, if you look back to when the first Belgian joined the club.
Youri Tielemans signed for Manchester United this week to become the eighth Belgian to complete a move to Old Trafford.
Most of the Belgians signed by United have been youth players for the academy, but quite a few were also signed for the first team.
Without further ado, here’s a look at every player from Belgium to sign for United.
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Marnick Vermijl
The former Belgium Under-21 international made two first-team appearances for United, but the last came in the embarrassing 4-0 hammering against MK Dons under Louis van Gaal in the League Cup.
Marnick Vermijl, who has played for Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, MVV and Thes Sport, is currently playing for Bocholt VV.
Ritchie De Laet
The two-time Belgium international made six appearances for the United first team, and he made 12 Premier League appearances during Leicester’s 2015-16 title triumph.
De Laet, who made 129 appearances for the Foxes, also had a spell with Aston Villa.
Adnan Januzaj
The talented Belgian was named on the bench for Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge of the Red Devils, and it was only a few months later that Adnan Januzaj burst onto the scene.
A brace at the Stadium of Light in a 2-1 win against Sunderland resulted in the wonderkid being tipped for stardom.
But the United academy graduate failed to kick on, and after a failed loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, Januzaj found himself out of favour under Van Gaal.
Jose Mourinho shipped him out on loan to the Black Cats, and he joined La Liga side Real Sociedad.
Januzaj is currently under contract at Sevilla.
Marouane Fellaini
After being linked with a wealth of world-class stars, David Moyes’ first signing as manager of United saw him reunite with the gangly Belgian.
The all-action midfielder stayed at Old Trafford for five-and-a-half years before moving to China, and he made 177 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals.
Van Gaal and Mourinho looked to utilise the Belgian’s physical and aerial prowess, and United adopted a direct approach as a result.
Fellaini won the League Cup, Europa League and FA Cup during his time in Manchester.
Romelu Lukaku
After impressing at Everton, United splashed out £75m to bring Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford in July 2017 when Mourinho was in charge.
Belgium’s all-time top scorer netted 42 times in 96 matches for the Reds, but it was clear that he wasn’t the profile of striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted.
Inter Milan paid £74m to sign Lukaku in the summer of 2019, and while he won the Scudetto under the stewardship of Antonio Conte, the 29-year-old has struggled to replicate his impressive goalscoring form in Italy with either United or Chelsea.
After scoring eight Premier League goals for the Blues last season, following his £97.5m return to Stamford Bridge, United’s bold decision to part ways with the left-footed forward has been vindicated.
Lukaku is currently under contract at Napoli.
Largie Ramazani
Largie Ramazani only made one cameo first-team appearance for United, and that came in the Europa League against Kazakhstan side Astana.
The former Charlton Athletic youngster who impressed as he progressed through the United youth ranks opted against renewing his contract with the Reds and instead joined Spanish side Almeria to pursue first team football.
Ramazani is now on the books at Leeds United following a season-long loan at Valencia.
Senne Lammens
Senne Lammens signed for United as a relatively unknown prospect who had spent just one season as Royal Antwerp’s first-choice stopper in Belgium.
After years of poor goalkeeping with Andre Onana as the first choice, Lammens instantly came in as an assured presence between the sticks.
Lammens has since become a Belgium international on the senior stage and has been tipped as United’s main man between the posts for the coming years.
Youri Tielemans
The latest Belgian to sign for United is Tielemans.
Arriving as a Premier League-proven midfielder, Michael Carrick will hope the 29-year-old hits the ground running at Old Trafford.
Tielemans joins United as captain of the Belgium national team.
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