Manchester United youngster Matej Kovar got a clean sheet on his senior debut for loan side Burton Albion.
The Brewers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink handed the Czech Republic Under-21 international stopper his debut at the Pirelli Stadium against promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle yesterday afternoon.
After back-to-back defeats and five losses from their last six league games, Hasselbaink’s side stopped the rot with a 0-0 draw in front of their own crowd.
Ben Garratt, Burton’s number one, had started the previous 40 League One games but the former Leeds United and Chelsea striker wanted to give Kovar a chance.
Speaking to the club’s website, Hasselbaink said: “Ben has been absolutely brilliant and is still my number one.
“I just wanted to see Matej in goal, to see how he would cope and to change things and give Ben a break. Sometimes you need to do that.”
Kovar will be hoping that his clean sheet results in retaining the position for Tuesday night’s clash against League One leaders Wigan Athletic.
With five league games remaining and with Burton having little to play for, the 21-year-old will be hoping to finish the season with a run of games at senior level under the stewardship of Hasselbaink.
The Manchester United youngster offered his reaction to keeping a clean sheet following yesterday’s clash.
Kovar said: “We knew we were going to be playing against a tough opponent and it feels even better for me to make my debut and keep a clean sheet.
“I just want to enjoy myself and it’s been a while since I’ve played in the league. But I told myself to enjoy it and do the best I can and I felt like I did alright.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
