Who is Joe Lewis? Why Manchester United have added goalkeeper to first team training squad

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Manchester United have added veteran goalkeeper Joe Lewis to their first-team training squad, according to reports.

This season has been marred by injuries for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United with the Red Devils suffering key absentees to some of their most important players.

One of the areas of the squad that has struggled massively is the centre-back role with multiple injuries galore, including two long-term layoffs for Lisandro Martinez. This has led to Jonny Evans, who was originally brought in to go on a pre-season tour, being rewarded with a one-year contract.

While there are no current plans to add another goalkeeper to the first team squad, Joe Lewis has been called up to provide depth, after Radek Vitek was sent out on loan to Accrington Stanley. The young Czech was a regular in first team training.

Who is Joe Lewis?

The 36-year-old has 538 career appearances to his name, beginning his career with Norwich City, before spells with Peterborough United and Aberdeen.

Joe Lewis has also played on loan at Stockport County, Morecambe, Blackpool, and Fulham, with a spell at Cardiff City, which also crossed over with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time at the club.

He is a former England youth international, and even made the senior squad for a friendly as a late replacement in 2008.

Lewis surprise name included in United squad

According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, English goalkeeper Lewis has been sporadically involved in United first-team training at Carrington since joining up with the club to maintain fitness in December.

Following the expiry of his contract with Aberdeen, during December, the goalkeeper was training with the United academy squad to keep up his fitness and sharpness.

Lewis has now continued this first-team training with the Red Devils and has even been brought into the squad to make up the numbers.

Andre Onana has been the undisputed first choice for United this season with Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir featuring just once for the Red Devils this campaign.

The rotational players who did not start against West Ham were training with Lewis joining Bayindir and English goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

United like to have four goalkeeper in the first team training group, with Lewis fulfilling a role, while getting the chance to train in a first class environment.

Joe Lewis’ future

The goalkeeper is not under contract at the club and it seems unlikely that he will be rewarded with a contract, unlike Jonny Evans.

He has only been required when the club are low on numbers for training sessions with youngsters Dermot Mee and Kie Plumley also being involved when required.

The goalkeeper was described as ‘exceptional’ by former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson in an interview with The Times.

For now, Lewis looks to be just an extra body in the training team but it is interesting that the 36-year-old Englishman has been a part of the squad.