At 34, Hans Vanaken's place at the Red Devils wavers

Hans Vanaken, 34, has 44 caps and eight goals with the Red Devils, but his recent performances for the national team raise serious questions about his longevity in the squad. After shining in recent months with Club Brugge, he shows signs of fatigue when the level rises.

A Late International Career

Hans Vanaken waited until he was twenty‑six to receive his first call‑ups for the national team, under Roberto Martinez, who selected him after the 2018 World Cup semi‑final. His debut was limited to sporadic appearances in the inaugural Nations League, then two matches in the Euro 2020 qualifiers and a minute against Finland in the European Championship. He did not play at all in the 2022 World Cup, marking the end of the Martinez era in Belgium.

Under Domenico Tedesco, Vanaken was virtually absent from the squads, reinforcing the impression of a marginalised player. The arrival of Rudi Garcia radically changed the situation, the coach regularly including him in the starting eleven and describing him as a key member of the team. Since then, he has featured on the pitch in the Nations League second‑leg playoff against Ukraine and in the World Cup qualifiers.

Recent Performances Contrasting

He scored goals against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, then provided an assist in Croatia, demonstrating his offensive impact. At the World Cup, he only shone against the United States, where he scored and delivered an assist, while the other matches, notably against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand, yielded no decisive actions.

Despite those moments, his style shows a lack of rhythm and execution speed, probably linked to his exclusive experience in the Jupiler Pro League, where the level of play remains below international standards. This weakness appears whenever the level rises, limiting his effectiveness against high‑level opponents.

The Generational Debate

The elimination against Spain put the Red Devils on an equal footing, but the trip to the Stade de France this Monday evening again exposed Vanaken’s limitations, especially in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, as he lost many balls and failed to create danger. The question of his continued inclusion arises with the arrival of Mark Van Bommel, who advocates increased intensity and a younger succession.

If we compare his performances with those of his rivals in the position, Hans Vanaken still retains a deserved place thanks to his experience and technical qualities. Nevertheless, at thirty‑four, his room for improvement is almost nil, and the generational renewal of the squad becomes inevitable according to observers.

Thus, the contrast between his recent contribution at Club Brugge and his recurring difficulties for the national team highlights the dilemma the Red Devils face: keep him for his experience or replace him with a younger, more dynamic profile.