A former Manchester United player banked the club £7.7million despite having never played for them
Matej Kovar in training
Matej Kovar has earned wins against Premier League teams since leaving Manchester United(Image: Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Matej Kovar has been on the winning side in clashes against Premier League teams since being sold by Manchester United.
The 25-year-old joined United as a 17-year-old in 2018 from Czech side 1. FC Slovacko and spent the next five years of his career contracted to the club. Alongside playing for United's reserve teams, the goalkeeper went out on three loans to lower league English sides as well as Czech giants Sparta Prague.
In 2023, Erik ten Hag green lit his departure in a £7.7million deal to join Bayer Leverkusen – then led by Xabi Alonso – and he spent the next two years as the German side's back-up goalkeeper. While he made just two Bundesliga appearances in his time with Leverkusen, he played 12 of their 13 Europa League games, including their 3-0 final defeat to Atalanta.
It was in their run to the final that Leverkusen took on West Ham in the quarter-finals, eventually beating the Hammers 3-1 on aggregate. Kovar's time in Germany came to an end last summer as then-Leverkusen boss Ten Hag once again triggered his exit by sending him on loan to PSV Eindhoven, with the Dutch giants making the deal permanent this month.
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Kovar next faced English opposition last November as his side travelled to Anfield to take on Liverpool. He played the entire game as PSV pulled off one of the greatest victories in their history as they thumped the reigning Premier League champions 4-1 at home.
The Czech international has the opportunity to continue his perfect record against English top-flight opponents as PSV travel to Newcastle tonight in the Champions League.
Matej Kovar of PSV Eindhoven controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven
The 25-year-old was between the sticks in PSV's 4-1 win over Liverpool in November(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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Following his move to Leverkusen, Kovar opened up about his decision to move to United as a teenager, admitting the opportunity to represent the Premier League giants was a "childhood dream". Speaking to Rheinische Post, he said in 2023: "It wasn’t an easy decision to leave everything behind at that age: the country, my friends, my family.
"But when Manchester United calls, you don’t have to think long. For me, a childhood dream came true. I had to take that chance." While he's since found a home in Eindhoven, he previously admitted he would welcome a return to Old Trafford in the future.
Matej Kovar of Bayer 04 Leverkusen applauds the fans after the Bundesliga match between SC Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park-Stadion
Matej Kovar never made a first-team appearance for Manchester United(Image: Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Im)
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He added: "I was there for five years, enjoyed the time, met a lot of great people and matured as a goalkeeper and a person. I’m grateful for the experiences. Of course, there were ups and downs, but they’re part of life. Maybe I’ll come back one day, that would be nice."
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