The goalkeeping position at Manchester United is unlikely to get the attention it needs this summer due to the financial situation, but Ruben Amorim can nonetheless give it a big jolt.
Man Utd start their pre-season with a game in Sweden against Leeds United on July 19, before departing for the US tour to face more Premier League opposition.
While the options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal means that not many youngsters will board that plane, the place of one should be under no question.
In fact, he should start the pre-season against Leeds between the posts, and then challenge Andre Onana for a spot in the tour XIs as well.
Radek Vitek of FC Blau Weiss Linz during the Admiral Bundesliga Match between FC Blau Weiss Linz and SK Rapid Wien at Hofmann Personal Stadion on August 25, 2024
Photo by Harald Dostal/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Man Utd should start pre-season with Radek Vitek as the No. 1
In any club with normal finances and with high ambition, Andre Onana wouldn’t have survived the season he had in 2024/25, costing United multiple games.
However, Man Utd’s financial situation means that upgrading a goalkeeper is a luxury that needs to be sidelined for the sake of necessary reinforcements elsewhere.
It’s just as well, then, that United have a player who can challenge Onana for the spot in Radek Vitek.
Vitek is coming off a blindingly successful loan spell at BW Linz in Austria, and he was recently tipped to reach the top level by Man Utd as well.
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Standing at 6’6″, Vitek was the star of last pre-season as well before the club deemed him not ready for the first team and sent him on loan. Vitek’s stats for the 2024/25 season, via Sofascore, prove how big a success he was.
His success at BW Linz should be rewarded with at least the chance to challenge Onana and make him uncomfortable.
Radek Vitek season stats for BW Linz 2024/25
Radek Vitek for BW Linz in 2024/25 season
That should start with a starting XI spot against Leeds United on July 19. Vitek can be the jolt that the goalkeeping position, and Onana desperately need to keep him on his toes.
Vitek can be a future Man Utd No. 1
For now, the decision to prefer Vitek over Onana is limited to just the first game of the pre-season, but if there was ever a player who deserved a chance to establish himself at United, it’s Vitek.
He’s done all the things asked of an academy player – impress in pre-season, be a model professional, star on multiple loans in multiple countries, and play a position that is light in the senior team.
It would set a bad example if, after doing everything right, Vitek is cast aside as United go searching for a new goalkeeper, or go all-in on Onana when his long-term suitability is questionable.
United have already made this mistake by selling Dean Henderson, who would easily start over Onana today. They shouldn’t repeat it with Vitek.
He can be a future Man Utd No. 1 if given the chances. That should begin on July 19 against Leeds.
At worst, he will jolt Onana into action. At best, United will secure their goalkeeping spot at zero cost while showing the youngsters that hard work is rewarded at the club.