Matej Kovar tipped to represent Czech Republic senior side in future by Sparta Prague manager

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Manchester United loanee Matej Kovar has been tipped to represent Czech Republic’s senior side in the future by Sparta Prague manager Brian Priske.

The 22-year-old is currently in the midst of a season-long loan spell with the Czech giants and looks to have the number one goalkeeping spot nailed down since returning to his homeland.

Playing in a top-flight European league is a massive step up for the Czech Republic Under-21 international given his only other prior experience at senior level aside from sporadic EFL Trophy games with United’s Under-21s, came via loan spells with Football League sides Swindon Town and Burton Albion.

Having been on the receiving end of a 4-0 derby humbling last time out against Slavia Prague, Kovar helped inspire Sparta to a big win against Fortuna Liga leaders Viktoria Plzen.

Priske’s men won 1-0 against the league leaders at the Doosan Arena and reduced the gap to Plzen to nine points.

Sparta inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Plzen who finished the Champions League group stage pointless having been drawn into the group of death, which contained Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Matej Kovar tipped to represent Czech Republic senior side

The shutout against Plzen was Kovar’ second clean sheet since signing for Sparta and having previously dubbed Kovar the “future of Czech football”, Priske believes that it’s only a matter of time before the ten-time Czech Republic Under-21 is representing the senior national side.

Reserving special praise for Kovar following last night’s win, Priske said: “If he continues like this, [he] will one day play for the national team.”

Kovar has been called-up to the Czech Republic senior side once before and he was an unused substitute in a friendly against Ukraine in September 2021.

Kovar, who moved to United from Czech side Slovacko in January 2018, will be keen to kick on and keep impressing at Sparta with a view to potentially catching senior Czech Republic boss Jaroslav Silhavy’s eye.

The United youngster, who formed part of Tour 2022, will have the opportunity to impress in next summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championships before returning to Carrington and seeing what Erik ten Hag’s plan is for him.