One Manchester United loanee has received big praise from his current manager, despite what a recent transfer could mean for his future at Old Trafford.
Loaning players away from Old Trafford has always been key for Manchester United, as they simply can’t afford to play everybody while trying to make big improvements in the Premier League.
While several senior players have been loaned away from United this summer – including Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – it’s the young players who spend a season in the EFL that benefit the most from their temporary moves.
Habeeb Ogunneye, Sonny Aljofree and Elyh Harrison are among the young players that Jonny Evans has sent away from Old Trafford for the season, as part of his new role as loan manager and head of pathways.
Radek Vitek was another to leave on loan this summer, this time joining Bristol City after his season in the Austrian top flight. The young goalkeeper could have been involved in pre-season, but Evans thought it was better for Vitek to join the Championship side, and he has been “ridiculous” so far.
Vitek receives big praise from Bristol City coach
Since completing his loan move to Bristol City, Vitek has completed 16 saves, with a save percentage of 80.4%. The 21-year-old has also made eight high claims in just four Championship games (statistics from FotMob).
Gerhard Struber – the Bristol City manager – was asked about Vitek’s form since joining Bristol City last weekend, he said: “He is very clear; he’s so young, but super clear. He’s so focused, his decision-making is, I would say, 99 per cent always in the right way and in on-ball moments as well.
“That is not a surprise for me, I watched so many games from him from the last season when he was in Austria, and I also had a good discussion with his coach in Austria before we realised the deal with him.”
Struber went on to say: “Also, Manchester United are super interested in how he plays every week. I’m always in exchange with them, so I would say he has a bright future for his chest. My trust, my belief in him, is at a very high level. I’ve worked also with very many good goalkeepers in the last few years, also in the Champions League, but Radek Vitek, his profile has a big future.
“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper in the future. For me, it’s not a second opinion. Of course, he has to grow and also he has to develop, but the profile shows me clearly that he can be a goalkeeper in the highest league in England.”
Vitek’s future after Lammens’ transfer
If Emiliano Martínez joined United, Amorim would have a more experienced goalkeeper to replace Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, with young goalkeepers (Harrison and Vitek) ready to take over in the future.
However, now that United have signed Senne Lammens – a 23-year-old, inexperienced goalkeeper – Vitek’s future is in doubt as Lammens will be looking to become the starting shotstopper in the coming years.
The only way Vitek could become the starting goalkeeper would be by displacing Lammens and Bayindir in the coming years, as Amorim clearly doesn’t mind competition between his shotstoppers.
However, the Czech goalkeeper may prefer to move away from Old Trafford if he isn’t guaranteed a regular place in the side. It is a tricky situation.
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