Manchester United's academy is renowned for producing top-level footballers but one of the members of the club's title-winning youth team in 2013 has now taken a different path
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Andreas Pereira, Marnick Vermijl, Charni Ekangamene and Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United U21s pose with the Barclays U21 Elite Group trophy after the Barclays U21s Elite Group Final between Manchester United U21s and Tottenham Hotspur U21s at Old Trafford on May 20, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Charni Ekangamene was highly rated at Manchester United(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Having left hometown club Royal Antwerp to sign for United aged 16, the midfielder became close friends with Adnan Januzaj, and played alongside Jesse Lingard, Michael Keane and Andreas Pereira. In 2014, Ekangamene joined Carlisle United on loan and made his professional debut in their League One clash with Bristol City.
The Belgian decided to leave Old Trafford later that year and returned to his homeland, joining Zulte Waregem on a four-year deal. Ekangamene went on to play for clubs in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain and Gibraltar.
He signed for Belgian fourth-tier side Berchem Sport in 2023, marking the 13th club of his career. Due to the club only being part-time, Ekangamene has another job.
The 33-year-old is a postman for Bpost, Belgium's equivalent to Royal Mail. Ekangamene took the role on in 2021 and finds it the 'perfect fit' to go alongside his football.
"This job is a perfect fit for me in terms of hours, as I'm still playing in the fourth division for Berchem Sport," he was recently quoted as saying by the Sun. "I start early in the day, and I can even have a bit of a rest before the start of training.
"I have been a postman for almost four years. I first used to go out on a bike, but nowadays I use a van. At least I now keep dry, and what with all the apartment blocks I have to deliver to, I still keep moving!"
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Charni Ekangamene of Manchester United U21s poses in the dressing room with the Barclays U21 Elite Group trophy after the Barclays U21s Elite Group Final between Manchester United U21s and Tottenham Hotspur U21s at Old Trafford on May 20, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Charni Ekangamene won the Under 21 Premier League with Manchester United
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Charni Ekangamene at Sixfields on February 18, 2014 in Northampton, England.
He joined Carlisle United on loan the following season
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Ekangamene then revealed that his monthly income in four times less than what he earned in United's academy. "Between working for Bpost and playing for Berchem I earn over €3,000 (£2,630) a month," he continued.
"When I was at Manchester United I was being paid four times as much. But after I left them, my football career did not turn out as I had expected. I gave it my all. But you can't always get all you want."
Ekangamene's decision to leave the Red Devils in July 2014 raised eyebrows. "At 16, I went to Manchester United where I learned a lot in the age groups," he said upon joining Zulte Waregem.
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 7: Charni Ekangamene of FC Eindhoven disappointed during the Dutch Keuken Kampioen Divisie match between Sparta v FC Eindhoven at the Sparta Stadium Het Kasteel on September 7, 2018 in Rotterdam Netherlands (Photo by Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Charni Ekangamene has now played for 13 different clubs
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"Now the time has come to take the next step. I spoke with several people about Zulte Waregem. I immediately fell in love with the project the club presented to me."
Ekangamene also posted on Instagram: "No one will probably understand why I left Man Utd, but it was the best decision for me, my family and the people close to me. Thank you for these four years and may Man Utd find its rightful place!"
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