Manchester United have received a clear demand from Radek Vitek after just 45 minutes of the first pre-season game.
The 0-1 loss to Wrexham was more about fitness than form, but Radek Vitek still managed to stand out in a good goalkeeping display in the second half.
His quality is not a surprise anymore after a sparkling loan spell at Bristol City, where he swept up every club award at the end of the season.
Emboldened by that confidence, he has presented Man Utd with a clear demand by giving the club two choices and one non-negotiable.
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Radek Vitek demands from Man Utd
Having impressed in every loan spell so far as a Man Utd player, Vitek is well within his rights to put pressure on the club.
With Senne Lammens exceeding all expectations last season, the chances for Vitek to become Man Utd’s No. 1 are slim at best, unrealistic at worst.
At the same time, Vitek is at a place in his career where he can’t risk becoming a backup or a cup goalkeeper.
That will sap all his momentum, which Vitek knows, which is why he demanded a No. 1 role for himself after the game, elsewhere if not at Man Utd.
He said: “I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to hopefully be number one. We’ll see what can happen.”
When asked whether he would like a loan move or a permanent move, he kept his options open, leaving it to the club to make a decision, having put forward his only non-negotiable of wanting to be No. 1.
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He added: “I’m ready for both [loan or transfer] to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also depends on the options. There’s been a few interests on the table, but yeah, we’re hoping to get the best one, and hopefully it will happen soon.”
Vitek’s demand is clear. He is not going to spend this season at Old Trafford, especially after Karl Darlow has been signed as the backup.
United need to do the smart thing now and negotiate a deal that sees them maintain some control over the player’s future.
Vitek is destined for the top, so failing another loan move, clauses like sell-on and buy-back should be non-negotiables in any potential transfer.
Even if that means a lesser transfer fee up front, Vitek is such a “sure” project that United won’t live to regret maintaining that control over his future.
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