Radek Vitek has started his loan spell at Bristol City with a strong performance against Real Valladolid.
Manchester United send a list of youngsters on loan each season to help them develop their game as senior professionals.
Former United and Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans is playing a central role in loan deals after being appointed as the club’s ‘loan manager’ following his retirement.
Evans is already responsible for as many as 10 deals in his new role. They include:
- Enzo Kana-Biyik to Lausanne
- Sonny Aljofree to Notts County
- Habeeb Ogunneye to Newport County
- Dan Gore to Rotherham United
- Joe Hugill to Barnet
- Elyh Harrison to Shrewsbury Town
- Marcus Rashford to Barcelona
- Radek Vitek to Bristol City
- Jack Moorhouse to Leyton Orient
- Ethan Wheatley to Northampton Town
The objective of these loan moves is for each player to gain valuable first-team experience, with Rashford being an exception as United plan to sell him to Barcelona on a permanent deal next year.
Gerhard Struber ‘excited’ by Radek Vitek after impressive debut
Vitek is already making a strong impression at Bristol City.
The Czech Republic keeper spent last season in the Austrian Bundesliga at FC Blau-Weiß Linz.
It was decided earlier this summer that Vitek would not go on pre-season tour with United, even though Andre Onana is recovering from a hamstring injury.
United had plans for Vitek to go back out on loan to continue his development, which led to him joining Bristol City for the entire season.
The 21-year-old made his debut at the weekend in a 4-0 pre-season win over Real Valladolid.
Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber expressed excitement at the young goalkeeper in his post-match interview. Vitek kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty from Marcos Andre in the first half.
“I think we have, of course, right now a great goalkeeping, coaching team that can do it on a very, very good level.”
He added: “Radek, I would say, gives us also, in this direction, a little bit of a different strength.
“I am very, very excited to have him here, and also today, he showed us, in many moments, how important he can be for this team.”
It bodes well for United that Vitek will be working with quality goalkeeper coaches at Bristol.
Hopefully, Vitek returns to United as a better goalkeeper next summer.
When does the season begin for Vitek?
Bristol City will kick off their Championship campaign with a trip to Sheffield United on Saturday.
Vitek is expected to make his competitive debut against the Blades in the 17:30 kick-off.
Bristol City are aiming for promotion after finishing sixth in the Championship and reaching the play-offs before losing 6-0 on aggregate against Sheffield United.
Struber will be looking for a positive start to the new season and revenge after the play-offs.
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