One Manchester United star looks set to face Leeds in pre-season under Ruben Amorim after being praised as a “consummate professional” by one of the club’s coaches.
After several weeks of rest, the Manchester United squad returned to Carrington this week to begin pre-season preparations under Ruben Amorim, who is determined to make big strides ahead of the upcoming campaign.
In the opening days of training, new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon have started to settle into their new environment, joined by a number of promising Academy prospects who’ve also been involved in the sessions.
Players who featured in international fixtures last week rejoined the group on Thursday and will still have ample time to get up to speed before the first friendly against Leeds.
Although most of United’s pre-season will unfold in the United States as part of the Premier League Summer Series, with games against West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth.
United star Vitek praised by coach
One of the players who has returned to pre-season is 21-year-old goalkeeper Radek Vitek after he returned from his loan spell in Austria.
Vitek played 28 times for Blau-Weiss Linz last season as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga table – their highest-ever position. He only conceded 37 goals in total.
United’s Academy lead goalkeeping coach, Tommy Lee, has been full of praise for the young shot-stopper and his development.
“I think we often use Radek as an example to some of the younger goalkeepers in the Academy. He is a player who maximises every part of the programme to ensure he is the best he can possibly be,” said Lee.
“Nutrition, gym, analysis. He is the consummate professional and that is going to take him, I believe, to the top level.
“He is a talented boy and that needs to be said. He’s 6ft 6ins and that always helps! For the other lads, their challenge is to be as good as Radek and do everything he does and more. He is a great example of someone who does that.”
Vitek could get pre-season chance under Amorim
Vitek impressed United fans when he appeared for the club in pre-season last year and it looks like he’s finally going to play under Amorim, who probably didn’t know too much about him before the summer started.
The Portuguese boss joined the Reds mid-season and wouldn’t have gotten the chance to focus on those loaned away for the campaign. He is now getting a close-up view of what Vitek is capable of.
It has also been confirmed that André Onana would miss the pre-season tour due to a hamstring injury, and the expectation is that Altay Bayındır leaves the club this summer.
This gives an opportunity to Vitek, who might not only play against Leeds but also during the tour of the United States, with the Telegraph stating that the Czech goalkeeper is ‘highly regarded’ within the club.
Perhaps the Academy star could even convince Amorim to give him a chance in competitive action next month if he performs over the coming pre-season fixtures.
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