Wonderkid Vermeeren urged to avoid 'snake pit' Man Utd like the plague

Tom Weber

• Updated: 14 Dec 2023 12:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Arthur Vermeeren has been told that moving to Manchester United would be career suicide right now.

The youngster is one of Europe's most sought-after commodities and only enhanced his reputation with his goal in Royal Antwerp's 3-2 victory over Barcelona, one of his biggest suitors. The holding midfield position is one many elite sides are seeking to strengthen and the 18-year-old, already a senior Belgium international, has shown many times that he can compete at the highest level.

Indeed, Antwerp CEO Sven Jacques could not rule out a January move prior to the Barcelona game. “We don't assume and we hope not, but there is a chance that Arthur will no longer be owned by Antwerp after January. Interest in him is growing every week - logical, given the steps he has taken. He can leave, leave and stay for a while [on loan] or just stay.”

The likes of Arsenal, Man Utd and, as mentioned, Barcelona have all been credited with an interest in the wonderkid, but pundits back in his homeland are not so sure that he should sign for any of these clubs, and certainly not for the Red Devils.

'Snake pit' Man Utd

Citing Man Utd's transfer failures under Erik ten Hag, particularly €95 million Antony, ex-Dutch international Jan Mulder told Belgian outlet HLN: “Manchester United? That's a snake pit. I wouldn't [go there], he would be better off staying at Antwerp. I see him in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich!”

Fellow pundit Gilles De Bilde concurred: “[I see him] especially in a team that plays with possession of the ball. Look, last year we wondered if he could do it in the league. He did it. Then the question was what he could bring to the Champions League. Well, he has played his games. He never looked out of place. It is clear that he can handle the highest level.”

"Will he stay at Antwerp? The reality in football today and certainly for a Belgian club is that if someone comes and puts €35 million on the table, you have to let him go. It's that simple."