Manchester United goalkeeping prospect Radek Vitek has been praised by Petr Cech.
With Radek Vitek‘s successful loan at Bristol City now concluded, Manchester United will need to assess the next steps for the goalkeeper.
Vitek swept the board by winning three individual awards, demonstrating the huge impression he made for the Championship side.
- Player of the Year award
- Young Player of the Year award
- Players’ Player of the Year award
Is Radek Vitek READY to be playing for Manchester United?
Can he challenge Lammens? Or does he need another loan?
Vitek praised by Cech
Radek Vitek is a Czech Republic youth international, and his progress has been tracked by legendary goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Cech told BBC Sport that he met with Vitek a couple of years ago and was struck by his desire to improve.
He explained: “I met him a couple of years ago, when we had a training session and talked about things. I could see he’s got the hunger and the willingness to get better.”
Cech believes that Vitek’s impressive spell in the Championship could lead to a possible Premier League loan – or permanent move.
“It’s great to see him progress because playing for the Under-21s with United is one thing, but then he played men’s football in Austria, which went really well for him, then he came back to England with Bristol City and did well there.
“That obviously gives him an opportunity to attract even attention from teams in the Premier League.”
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Pre-season chance likely for Vitek
Manchester United appear to have solved the goalkeeper position with the acquisition of Senne Lammens last summer, who was recently voted ‘signing of the season’ by fans.
Cech accepts it will be tricky for Vitek now, and does not expect him to necessarily want to sit and be a back-up.
“As it stands at United, Lammens has done really well. I’m sure he [Vitek] will want to go somewhere and continue playing.”
Vitek could get a chance in pre-season, with Lammens expected back late due to Belgium’s World Cup involvement.
He played one game for United in pre-season 2024, voted man of the match in a friendly with Rosenborg.
With Champions League qualification secure, United are under no pressure to sell from a financial perspective.
Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir could both be moved on, however, opening up a space for a number two.
The carrot of appearing in cup competitions and some Champions League games could tempt Vitek to stay for the season and compete with Lammens.
Long-term there is only one spot available, and a tricky decision could lie ahead.
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