Rúben Amorim has reportedly decided to use Academy star Radek Vitek as his first-choice goalkeeper during pre-season following André Onana’s hamstring injury.
Manchester United are set to kick off their pre-season schedule with a clash against Leeds United in Stockholm, Sweden.
Following a 15th-place finish in last season’s Premier League, the Reds have lined up a strong set of fixtures to prepare for the 2025/26 campaign, including four matches against fellow top-flight English clubs and a home game at Old Trafford against Fiorentina.
Head coach Rúben Amorim will be looking to make an early impression as he begins shaping his side ahead of the new season.
After facing Leeds, United will head to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series, where they’ll take on West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton.
Supporters will be particularly excited to see the Leeds game, which could mark the first appearance of new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.
Radek to replace Onana in pre-season fixtures
Late last week, it emerged that André Onana had suffered a hamstring tear in training, potentially ruling the first-choice goalkeeper out for up to two months. The injury would see the Cameroon international miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
With United’s transfer focus still on midfield and attacking additions, Amorim is reportedly considering promoting 21-year-old Academy goalkeeper Radek Vitek to the senior squad to cover Onana’s absence.
Vitek impressed in pre-season last year before spending the campaign on loan at Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz, and is now expected to start during the United States leg of Tour 2025.
Highly regarded within the club, the Czech stopper is believed to be the frontrunner to start against West Ham in New Jersey on 27 July, and may also feature in the friendly against Leeds.
Onana handed Vitek important advice last summer
Before heading to Austria on loan, Vitek pulled off an “outstanding” performance against Rosenborg in pre-season. Vitek knows Onana well, having spent a considerable amount of time training with the Cameroon international throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
Vitek has been open about his relationship with Onana, having previously explained that United’s first-choice is a source of advice and encouragement.
“He is excellent in footwork. He always told me not to be afraid to play, even if I make a mistake sometimes,” Vitek explained during an interview in March 2024.
“He encouraged me to be self-confident, not to make a big deal out of anything and to move on. Everyone makes mistakes, even the best in the world.”
Although Vitek has yet to make his competitive debut for the club he joined in 2020, Onana’s wise words are a great piece of advice and source of confidence for the 21-year-old ahead of a possible breakout season.
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