It was a surprise that Matej Kovar wasn’t one of the Manchester United youngsters to go out on loan this summer and gain further first team experience.
But due to United being short of a fit and recognisable goalkeeper at under-23 level, academy stopper Kovar stayed at the club.
Kovar has played in all three Premier League 2 games so far this season and has conceded seven goals across the matches.
In the opening game of United’s Papa John’s Trophy campaign, it was Dermot Mee, who is currently on loan at Trafford FC who played in the 3-2 defeat to Lincoln City, not Kovar.
Mee did replace Kovar as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge four days prior to the EFL Trophy clash after the starting goalkeeper sustained a knock.
The 21-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at League One side Swindon Town, who eventually got relegated to League Two.
But after joining on a season-long loan and making his last appearance for The Robins on 29th December 2020, a recall clause in the loan agreement was activated by United on 6th January 2021, ending Kovar’s temporary spell at The County Ground.
Kovar finished the campaign playing for Neil Wood’s under-23 side.
Perfect start for Czech under-21s
After getting a clean sheet on his Czech Republic under-21 debut in a 1-0 win against Slovenia four days prior, Kovar made it back-to-back clean sheets in a 4-0 win against Albania last night.
The Czech’s are in the same group as Lee Carsley’s England under-21 side, so it will be interesting to see how Kovar fares in those clashes, the first of which will take place during the November international break.
What’s next for Kovar?
According to Transfermarkt, Kovar’s current contract at United expires in June 2022.
With Nathan Bishop out on a season-long loan at Mansfield Town and Paul Woolston recovering from surgery, that leaves Kovar and Ondrej Mastny from the under-23 side, Radek Vitek stepping from the under-18s side with Mee out on loan until 15th September, as the under-23 goalkeeping options.
Kovar will have to wait to go out on loan in the New Year, but a lot may depend on whether he signs a new deal at the club or not.
After breaking new ground with his national side during the international break, the talented goalkeeper will be eager to maintain that form with his club side.
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