PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bilal El Khannouss |
| Date of Birth | 10/05/2004 (Age: 22) |
| Place of Birth | Strombeek-Bever, Belgium |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #14 (Genk), #25 (Morocco) |
| Current Club | Manchester United |
| Previous Clubs | Genk |
| International Caps | 19 |
| International Goals | 2 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
| Market Value | €40M |
The Frozen Moment
The noise at Old Trafford was deafening. It was August 2026, and Bilal El Khannouss was making his home debut for Manchester United. The 22-year-old Moroccan midfielder had just completed a £50 million move from Genk, following in the footsteps of his compatriots Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat, who had also made the switch to the Premier League.
He had been a key figure in Genk’s record-breaking Invincible season in 2024-25. He had scored the decisive penalty in the Belgian Cup final shootout against Club Brugge. He had been named in the Pro League Team of the Year. Now, he was living the dream of every young footballer.
His journey had been unconventional. Born in Belgium to Moroccan parents, he had chosen to represent Morocco over Belgium, a decision that had been vindicated when he became the youngest player at the 2022 World Cup at just 18 years old. Four years later, he was a key part of Morocco’s World Cup campaign, and he was making his mark in the Premier League.
“At first, my mother was uneasy about me going to Manchester,” he revealed in a recent interview. “She’s a bit of a homebody, she loves having me around. But over time she’s become really proud and happy for me.”
Origins: From Strombeek-Bever to the World Stage
Bilal El Khannouss was born on May 10, 2004, in Strombeek-Bever, Belgium, to Moroccan parents. His football journey began in the Belgian youth system, where he joined the academy of Genk at a young age. He progressed through the ranks, making his first-team debut in the 2021-22 season, making eight appearances.
The 2022-23 season was his breakthrough. He made 27 appearances and scored one goal. His performances caught the attention of the Morocco national team, and he made his senior debut on September 27, 2022, against Paraguay. He was just 18 years old.
In November 2022, he was named in Morocco’s World Cup squad for the tournament in Qatar. At 18 years and 6 months old, he became the youngest player in the tournament. He made his debut against Croatia, becoming the second-youngest player to represent Morocco at a World Cup. He made two substitute appearances at the tournament, playing a total of 15 minutes as Morocco made history by reaching the semi-finals.
“I have always believed in myself,” El Khannouss said. “You have to. I am never afraid. In football, you have to deal with pressure. It can be about your future or your performance, but you have to play without fear.”
The European Forge: Genk’s Rising Star
El Khannouss’s time at Genk was transformative. Over three seasons, he made 80 Pro League appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 14 assists. He was one of the most promising young midfielders in Belgium.
The 2024-25 season was his masterpiece. He made 39 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists. He was a key player in Genk’s record-breaking Invincible season, where the team went unbeaten in the league. He scored in the Belgian Cup final shootout against Club Brugge, a decisive moment in Genk’s victory. He was named in the Pro League Team of the Year.
His performances in the Pro League caught the attention of scouts across Europe. In March 2025, Genk sporting director Dimitri De Condé confirmed that the club had rejected a formal offer from Leicester City. He was a player in demand.
His style of play drew comparisons to some of the greats. In November 2024, after scoring a hat-trick for Morocco against Zambia in a friendly, he was described as a “Sofiane Boufal and Adel Taarabt hybrid with a touch of Riyad Mahrez.” The expectation was that the world’s biggest clubs would come calling.
The Premier League Move
In August 2026, Manchester United signed El Khannouss for a reported fee of £50 million (plus add-ons). The move was a significant step in his career, and he was excited by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
“During my first meeting with [Ruben Amorim], I was immediately convinced,” he revealed. “He told me: ‘Bilal, I’ve followed you for a long time. I know what you can do. I have a plan for you.’ I appreciated his honesty. He didn’t promise me a starting place straight away, but that I would have to earn my place.”
He also received advice from his compatriots. “Noussair [Mazraoui] and Sofyan [Amrabat] have told me only good things about Manchester,” he said. “They told me not to fear anything, to be myself, to play with the ball.”
His first season at United was a success. He made 29 Premier League appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 7 assists. He contributed 12 goal involvements, a significant return for a midfielder in his debut season. He was a key player in United’s Champions League qualification campaign.
The Anatomy of His Game
El Khannouss is a creative attacking midfielder capable of playing as a number 10 or on the wing. His game is defined by his intelligence, his vision, and his ability to progress the ball.
In possession
, his dribbling and his passing are his greatest assets. In the 2026-27 Premier League season, he was averaging 2.5 successful dribbles per game. His passing accuracy was 85%, and he was a constant threat in the final third. He was described as a player who “can play as a No. 10 or on either wing, often playing between the lines with excellent game-reading skills.”
Out of possession
, his work rate is a defining feature. He is a player who contributes defensively, pressing intelligently and tracking back. His versatility allows him to play in multiple positions across the frontline.
His mental strength
is another key quality. He has spoken about the importance of believing in himself and playing without fear. “I have always believed in myself. You have to. I am never afraid,” he said.
His weakness
has been his consistency. He has been praised for his talent, but he has sometimes struggled to produce his best performances on a consistent basis. His performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup were a testament to his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026/27 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 29 | 5 | 7 | 2,090 |
| FA Cup | — | — | — | — |
| League Cup | — | — | — | — |
| Total | — | — | — | — |
Sources:
TABLE B: Genk Career (Pro League)
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
| 2023-24 | 24 | 4 | 5 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | 6 | 6 |
| Total | 88 | 11 | 14 |
Sources:
TABLE C: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 19 |
| Senior Goals | 2 |
| Debut | 27/09/2022 vs Paraguay |
| World Cups | 2022, 2026 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (Starting XI) |
| Hat-trick | vs Zambia (November 2024) |
Sources:
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | World Cup Debut | Youngest player in tournament |
| 2022 | Morocco Debut | First senior cap |
| 2024 | Hat-trick for Morocco | vs Zambia |
| 2025 | Belgian Cup Winner | Scored in shootout final |
| 2025 | Invincible Season | Genk went unbeaten in league |
| 2025 | Pro League Team of the Year | Selected |
| 2026 | Manchester United Move | £50m transfer |
| 2026 | World Cup Quarter-Final | Started for Morocco |
Sources:
What these figures reveal is a player who has developed rapidly in a short space of time. He made his senior debut in 2022 and, within four years, had become a key player for Genk, a World Cup player for Morocco, and a Premier League midfielder. His 11 goals and 14 assists in 88 Pro League appearances and his 12 goal involvements in his debut Premier League season are a testament to his quality.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was a stage for El Khannouss to demonstrate his quality. He was named in Morocco’s 26-man squad for the tournament and started in the round of 16 match against Canada, playing 62 minutes. He was a key player in Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals.
His club future is secure. He is under contract at Manchester United until 2030 and has become a key player for the club. His performances in his debut season have made him a fan favourite.
He has spoken about his ambitions for the future. “I am happy at Manchester United but my ambition is to develop myself, to be better every day, and of course to be playing in the biggest club in the world,” he said. “I have the capacity for it, so I will just work hard and just try to make my way to my dream.”
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, El Khannouss is known for his humility and his commitment to his roots. He was born in Belgium to Moroccan parents, and he has spoken about the importance of his heritage.
He has spoken about the support of his family, particularly his mother, who was initially uneasy about him moving to Manchester. “At first, my mother was uneasy about me going to Manchester,” he revealed. “She’s a bit of a homebody, she loves having me around. But over time she’s become really proud and happy for me.”
He is a proud representative of Morocco, and his journey from Strombeek-Bever to the World Cup is an inspiration to many.
The Verdict from the Camp
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United manager:
“Bilal, I’ve followed you for a long time. I know what you can do. I have a plan for you.”
Bilal El Khannouss, on his mentality:
“I have always believed in myself. You have to. I am never afraid. In football, you have to deal with pressure. It can be about your future or your performance, but you have to play without fear.”
Bilal El Khannouss, on his Manchester United move:
“Noussair [Mazraoui] and Sofyan [Amrabat] have told me only good things about Manchester. They told me not to fear anything, to be myself, to play with the ball.”
Where Next?
Bilal El Khannouss is 22 years old and has already achieved more than most players dream of. He is a Premier League midfielder, a World Cup player for Morocco, and a key player for Manchester United.
His legacy is still being written. He is the player who chose Morocco over Belgium, who was the youngest player at the 2022 World Cup, and who made a £50 million move to Manchester United. He is the creative midfielder who has the potential to become one of the best in the world.
