Thomas Meunier has never hidden his admiration for football’s most storied institutions. At 33, with a well-travelled career across Europe, the Belgian full-back still carries the spark of a player enjoying his first season in the professional game. After joining Lille in July 2024, many assumed his journey was winding down quietly. But recent revelations have stirred the waters. Far from being content with the twilight of his career, Meunier has reignited interest with a heartfelt confession—he remains a devoted fan of Manchester United, a club he holds close to his heart.
In a candid moment, Meunier admitted he would “hop on a bicycle and ride from France to England” if United ever came calling. With both humour and honesty, he added that perhaps it’s better if the call never comes, as the dream might lose its magic if things went wrong. He revealed that he recently attended a United game as a fan, singing with the crowd and living the matchday experience in full. A regular visitor to Old Trafford, Meunier joked that he’s only witnessed two wins in all his visits.
Speaking to Gazet van Antwerpen (h/t [The Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2025/06/06/i-love-that-club-so-much-lille-star-wants-man-utd-transfer-23348627/)), here is what he said:
> “If they (Man Utd) ever ask me, I’ll cycle there! But maybe it’s better this way. Suppose I play there and have a bad time. I wouldn’t want to hate Manchester United, because I love that club so much. I went to watch them a few weeks ago, against Bilbao. In with the fans, singing, à fond (fully). Je suis un vrai. (I am a real one). I go to watch them at least once every season. But of all the home games I’ve seen in all those years, they’ve only won two. You have to have a self cruelty side to be a United supporter, right?”
Thomas Meunier loves Manchester United a lot
Meunier’s words resonate with the kind of romanticism rarely seen in modern football. His affection for Manchester United is pure, heartfelt, and clearly unmanufactured. Yet, football is an unforgiving business. Sentimentality alone cannot earn a contract at a club like United, especially not now, when the margin for error is thin and every decision must serve the long-term vision.
At 33, Meunier no longer represents the future. His career trajectory in recent seasons, with recurring injuries and diminishing influence at Dortmund, signals a player past his physical prime. Even if his passion is undoubted and his character exemplary, United are not in a position to make symbolic signings. They need pace, endurance, and tactical agility, qualities that no longer define Meunier. His resurgence at Lille may be personally satisfying, but it’s unlikely to shift the needle at Old Trafford.
In another era, perhaps his story could have ended with a fairy-tale chapter at United. But for a club desperate to rebuild and correct years of missteps, the future must be built on performance, not nostalgia.
This alternative perspective is both sobering and inspiring. While Meunier may not fit the current needs of Manchester United on the pitch, his words serve as a poignant reminder of the emotional weight the club still carries. In an era where loyalty often takes a back seat to commercial interests and fleeting success, hearing a seasoned professional speak with such raw affection for a club he’s never played for is rare and meaningful.
It shows that despite recent sporting failures, United’s identity still resonates. They remain a club that inspires love, dreams, and devotion, even from afar. Meunier’s emotional connection is not just nostalgia; it’s a testament to the enduring cultural footprint of a club that, even in difficult times, continues to mean something beyond results.
In the end, Meunier’s story isn’t about a missed transfer or an aging full-back. It’s about the soul of Manchester United and the way it continues to echo through football’s collective memory. And that, more than any signing, might be what they need to rediscover as they rebuild, not just a team, but a spirit worth believing in.