Football is a team game, but each individual player also aims to play the most games, which inevitably comes at the cost of his teammates’ minutes.
One such battle is set to rage this season, at least this pre-season, after some unexpected developments before even a match has kicked off.
Pre-season is a time for youngsters to stake a claim in the first team and become a surprise breakout star, much like what Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho did.
Another such prospect can do so this season, and his story is even more poetic, since he can use his senior teammate’s advice to take his place in the first XI if everything goes well.
Andre Onana, Radek Vitek of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on July 11, 2024
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Radek Vitek can challenge Andre Onana
Andre Onana’s hamstring injury made the goalkeeping position a matter of urgency as Altay Bayindir hasn’t convinced, and Tom Heaton is an ambassadorial dressing room presence at best.
It is just as well, then, that they have Radek Vitek returning from another successful loan, and he’s been tipped to reach the top level by coaches at Man Utd.
Onana’s injury is a golden opportunity for Vitek to silence his naysayers at the club who don’t think he’s ready yet for the first team.
The imposing goalkeeper, standing at 6’6″, shone at BW Linz on loan last season to build on his successful pre-season under Erik ten Hag and a good loan at Accrington before that.
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He has done all the things asked of a youth prospect – take chances in pre-season, impress on loan, remain patient, and be a model professional while giving constant reminders of his quality.
The next step is the hardest one, but it has never looked more possible with Onana’s injury. It is poetic that he needs to take Onana’s advice to take Onana’s place in the first XI.
Andre Onana’s advice to Vitek
It was last season when Vitek was impressing in pre-season that he revealed Onana’s advice. Speaking to the Czech outlet Sport, Vitek said he had been constantly in touch with the Cameroonian.
Onana provided a sort of mentorship role to the youngster, and Vitek was eager to soak it in.
Vitek said Onana told him to ‘not be afraid to play’, and that mistakes will happen, but they shouldn’t dent his confidence.
Vitek said: “He [Onana] always told me not to be afraid to play, even if I make a mistake sometimes. He encouraged me to be confident, not to make a big deal out of anything, and to keep going. Everyone makes mistakes, even the best in the world.”
It can be argued that Onana himself hasn’t lived up to that advice, often looking like the weight of the world was on his shoulders when he made a mistake.
That just puts into perspective what a thankless job it is to be a goalkeeper for Man Utd’s first team. Readiness for that position can only be judged after playing it.
For Vitek, that time is coming.