September marks an important milestone in Manchester United’s modern history. Exactly twelve years ago, on transfer deadline day of 2013, the towering midfielder Marouane Fellaini officially joined the Red Devils from Everton. His signing made him only the fourth Belgian ever to represent Manchester United—a detail that often gets overlooked in the chaos of deadline-day deals.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Belgian presence at Old Trafford is set to grow once again. Senne Lammens, the highly rated young goalkeeper arriving from Royal Antwerp, is on the brink of becoming the seventh Belgian to pull on the famous red shirt. His transfer has not only strengthened United’s goalkeeping department but has also reopened an interesting question for fans: who are the other Belgians who have left their mark on Manchester United over the years?
Before answering that, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the history of Belgians at United—each one of them with a unique story, a different role, and varying levels of impact on the club.
1. Marouane Fellaini (2013–2019)
It is only right to begin with the man whose anniversary we’re marking. Marouane Fellaini became the headline arrival in David Moyes’ first transfer window at Manchester United. Signed for £27.5 million from Everton, he carried the reputation of being a midfield enforcer, a physical presence, and an aerial threat.
His time at Old Trafford was turbulent. For some supporters, Fellaini represented a departure from United’s traditional midfield style. Yet, for others, he was a warrior—a player who could be relied on in tough moments. Under Louis van Gaal and later José Mourinho, Fellaini often became a tactical weapon, particularly in European games. His ability to score crucial goals, win headers, and disrupt opponents was sometimes mocked by rival fans, but he left United with four trophies: the FA Cup (2016), League Cup (2017), Community Shield (2016), and the Europa League (2017).
While he wasn’t universally adored, Fellaini carved out a very respectable career at United, making over 170 appearances. His story is a reminder that even controversial signings can have lasting significance.
2. Romelu Lukaku (2017–2019)
One of the most expensive signings in Manchester United’s history, Romelu Lukaku arrived from Everton for £75 million with the task of leading the line. In many ways, Lukaku’s time at Old Trafford summed up the frustrations of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era: moments of brilliance mixed with long stretches of inconsistency.
In his first season, Lukaku hit 27 goals in all competitions, including key strikes in the Champions League. However, his form dipped in the following campaign, and questions over his fitness, first touch, and ability to perform in big games became dominant narratives.
Despite the criticism, Lukaku’s raw numbers—42 goals in 96 games—show that he was far from a flop. His departure to Inter Milan allowed him to rebuild his career, but his United spell remains a classic “what if” scenario. Could he have thrived in a different tactical system? Or under a different manager? Fans still debate it today.
3. Adnan Januzaj (2011–2017)
Few United youngsters have ever announced themselves as dramatically as Adnan Januzaj did in October 2013. On just his second league start, he scored two stunning goals against Sunderland, instantly becoming the poster boy of the post-Ferguson rebuild.
The young Belgian winger was hailed as a generational talent, someone destined to carry United forward. Unfortunately, his career stalled. A lack of consistency, combined with managerial changes and a struggle to adapt, meant Januzaj never fulfilled his enormous early promise at Old Trafford.
He played 63 games for United before eventually moving on to Real Sociedad, where he enjoyed a more stable career. For United fans, Januzaj will forever be remembered for that breakthrough performance and the hope it briefly gave during a turbulent era.
4. Marnick Vermijl (2010–2015)
Not every Belgian at Manchester United became a household name. Marnick Vermijl is a prime example. Signed from Standard Liège in 2010, he was seen as a promising full-back who could develop into a first-team option.
Vermijl spent most of his time at United in the reserves and made just two competitive appearances for the senior side. Despite limited opportunities, his presence contributed to the growing trend of Belgian talents being scouted by top Premier League clubs.
After leaving United, Vermijl played for clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End, before continuing his career in Belgium. While he didn’t become a United star, his name remains on the list of players who represented the club at senior level.
5. Largie Ramazani (2017–2020)
Another lesser-known Belgian in United’s recent history is Largie Ramazani. A quick and skillful winger, he came through the youth ranks and even made a Europa League appearance under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2019.
Ramazani was tipped as a potential breakout star, but in 2020 he turned down a new contract and chose to join Spanish side Almería. Since then, he has grown into a key player for the club, proving that United’s academy pipeline continues to produce talent—even if not all of them stay to make their names at Old Trafford.
6. Senne Lammens (2025– )
That brings us to the present day. Senne Lammens has now joined the club as United’s seventh Belgian signing. At just 22 years old, he arrives with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young goalkeepers. Tall, confident, and modern in his style, Lammens is expected to provide both immediate competition and long-term stability between the posts.
Interestingly, Aston Villa reportedly offered more money for his signature, but Lammens only wanted United. His decision reflects not only the pull of Old Trafford but also the ambition of INEOS to recruit players with the right mentality. For him, it is truly a dream move.
