Manchester United are no strangers to being a club that makes plenty of mistakes in the transfer market, and they could be about to repeat a big one.
Alvaro Fernandez was sold to Benfica last summer for a nominal fee of about £5 million after never getting a proper chance in the first team.
One blindingly successful season later, Fernandez is on his way to Real Madrid for a fee close to £42 million, leaving United to rue their mistake.
Just a year after letting Fernandez out of their grasp so willingly, they’re about to repeat that mistake by selling a player who’s shone this season and, much like Fernandez, deserves a first-team chance.
Photo by Harald Dostal/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Photo by Harald Dostal/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Radek Vitek is Alvaro Fernandez 2.0 for Man Utd
Man Utd fans were screaming for Fernandez to get a chance in the first team because not only was the player an exciting prospect, but United had no reliable left-backs.
Somehow, Erik ten Hag still didn’t trust Fernandez enough, and Benfica exercised their buy option of £5 million, netting almost nine times that from his sale just one year later.
Fernandez shone for Benfica throughout the season, just like Radek Vitek, the goalkeeper on loan at BW Linz who has impressed everyone this season.
The similarities are uncanny. Like Fernandez, Vitek also plays a position that is looking shaky at the first-team level. Similarly, Vitek impressed on loan like Fernandez did at Benfica.
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The third similarity is what United should avoid, i.e., selling the player without giving him a first-team chance. Otherwise, a fourth similarity will occur, which is Vitek succeeding elsewhere and United looking on ruefully.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Fernandez mistake will be repeated, with United looking to sell Vitek after a good season at BW Linz, as evidenced by stats via Sofascore.
Radek Vitek season stats for BW Linz 2024/25
Radek Vitek for BW Linz in 2024/25 season
It is remarkable that players like Vanja Milinkovic-Savic are considered when United have a better alternative sitting at home, itching for a chance.
It’s Fernandez deja vu all over again.
Ideal time for Ruben Amorim to give Vitek a chance
Even beyond the Fernandez comparisons, there won’t be a better time to throw Vitek into the deep end than next season.
United are unlikely to find a club that provides them with a profit on Onana’s sale, while Altay Bayindir is likely to leave.
That leaves the backup spot open, a place Vitek will be well-suited to due to being homegrown and young.
Instead of being a pure backup like Bayindir, Vitek can be given a chance to challenge Onana for the No. 1 spot. That way, not only will the youngster have a senior challenger, but Amorim will have a “safe” senior option in case Vitek doesn’t look up to it.
Ultimately, a proper decision can be made on the future of the duo next summer, when Onana’s contract will be down by another year and, hopefully, United will have European football.
Vitek deserves a chance to have a shot at achieving United’s No. 1 status. Otherwise, it sends a bad message that good loans don’t get you rewarded.