It is tough for a young goalkeeper to break into the Manchester United first team and not just because of the presence of one of the world’s best goalkeepers between the sticks.
Sergio Romero is the best reserve goalkeeper in the Premier League and the likes of Dean Henderson and Joel Pereira are long-term options.
That means that it has been tough to Kieran O’Hara to establish himself and he has not sat on his hands waiting for it to happen.
He is currently out on loan at Burton Albion in League 1 – his seventh temporary spell away from Old Trafford.
O’Hara determined to carry on improving
In an interview with Omni Sports, O’Hara said: “You can do all the training in the world but without going out and playing it all counts for nothing.
“The way the game has gone is something that has always been drilled into me as a kid at Manchester United.
“I’ve always been confident having the ball at my feet and playing out from the back. I like to give my defenders the option of giving me the ball knowing that I can retain possession.”
And that progression led him to a first international start, for the Republic of Ireland in a 3-1 win over New Zealand this week.
He previously had one appearance earlier this season as a substitute.
So how far can O’Hara progress?
The moment all United’s young goalkeepers must be eyeing up is when De Gea leaves the club and vacates the gloves.
In the meantime, taking over from Romero as second choice may be the goal, but the obvious drawback is the lack of gametime.
Henderson would appear to be ahead in the pecking order because he is playing Premier League football on loan at Sheffield United right now, and getting into the England squad.
But playing regular gametime and getting onto the international scene are two things that will stand O’Hara in good stead, especially with his clear desire to improve.
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